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Aerodynamics history
Aerodynamics is a branch of dynamics concerned with studying the motion of air, particularly when it interacts with a moving object. Aerodynamics is closely related to fluid dynamics and gas dynamics, with much theory shared between them. Aerodynamics is often used synonymously with gas dynamics, with the difference being that gas dynamics applies to all gases. Understanding the motion of air (often called a flow field) around an object enables the calculation of forces and moments acting on the object and how this effects it if it moves. Typical properties calculated for a flow field include velocity, pressure, density and temperature as a function of position and time. By defining a control volume around the flow field, equations for the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy can be defined and used to solve the problems. The use of aerodynamics through mathematical analysis, empirical approximation and wind tunnel experimentation form the scientific point of view are basis for heavier-than-air flight applications. Aerodynamic problems can be identified in a number of ways. The flow environment defines the first classification criterion. Aerodynamics are usually divided into two types depending on the flow of air. External aerodynamics is the study of flow around solid objects of various shapes. Evaluating the lift and drag on an airplane, the shock waves that form in front of the nose of a rocket or the flow of air over a hard drive head are examples of external aerodynamics. Internal aerodynamics is the study of flow through passages in solid objects. Internal aerodynamics encompasses the study of the airflow through a jet engine or through an air conditioning pipe. Another way of identification is in relation to the speed of sound this The ratio of the problem's characteristic flow speed to the speed of sound comprises a second classification of aerodynamic problems. A problem is called subsonic if all the speeds in the problem are less than the speed of sound. Transonic if speeds both below and above the speed of sound are present (normally when the characteristic speed is approximately the speed of sound). Supersonic when the characteristic flow speed is greater than the speed of sound. And hypersonic when the flow speed is much greater than the speed of sound. Aerodynamicists disagree over the precise definition of hypersonic flow; minimum Mach numbers for hypersonic flow range from 3 to 12. Most aerodynamicists use numbers between 5 and 8. Any way since we are dealing with car design only here so we will not bother to go deeply in the since. In cars Aerodynamics deals with the amount of air that intercept the car while it is moving, and since cars usually move at speeds of max 450 KMH up to date So we are only dealing with subsonic aerodynamic problems and we say problems for many reasons, air flow around cars can cause the car for instance to loose grip and stability on the road in case of cars with chassis that are high than the ground (Ground stand), as air comes under the chassis at high speeds and lifts the car (lifting force) this causes the car to lose it's grip on the road and become (Floaty like a boat floating over water) Air causes loss of controlo that's why the lower a car is (on it'sgound hight) the more stable it is, taht's why some sports cars for instance use special tunnels designed in the chasis to redirect air under the car at high speeds to help not only minimise aerodynamic lift but also stabilse the car more at high speeds, others use small turbines to force air in specially designed pathes under the car wow. In the next few pages we will be discussing the concept of car designing from history till now days,and how did the study of aerodynamics effected the design of cars, and the evolution of car designs, also some other factors effecting cars stability and performance.
