At the speeds we are discussing, wind resistance accounts for most of the energy consumed. Other sources of energy consumption are rolling resistance of the tires, which remains constant relative to velocity (but not vehicle mass), and inefficiencies in the drivetrain and engine. Drivetrain inefficiencies remain relatively constant. Engine efficiencies, on the other hand, vary greatly largely as a function of actual torque at a given RPM and peak torque at that RPM. Efficiency tends to increase as actual torque approach peak torque.
There is no energy consumed simply because an object is travelling at a certain velocity; an object in motion tends to stay in motion. Of course, there is energy consumed when accelerating or climbing a hill. The amount of energy consumed during acceleration or altitude gain is directly proportional to the mass of the vehicle in question, which is also the case for rolling resistance. I have developed an acceleration modeling program which demonstrates many of these concepts. Let me know if anyone would like to play with it and I will send it along. I can also send a full set of the applicable equations. Respectfully, Forbes --- In biofuel@yahoogroups.com, "Martin Klingensmith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > What you described is a doubling in the energy consumed by air friction, > not the net energy due to the increase in velocity. > > Martin Klingensmith > nnytech.net > infoarchive.net ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Get A Free Psychic Reading! Your Online Answer To Life's Important Questions. http://us.click.yahoo.com/Lj3uPC/Me7FAA/ySSFAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
