Learning

Aerodynamics

The study of the motion of gas on objects and the forces created.

Aesthetics

A quality dealing with the appearance of an object.

Airflow

The movement of air around the chassis of the race car.

Bearings

mechanical device for lessening the friction or a machine part in which another part turns or slides.

Bernoulli Effect

states that the pressure of a fluid (liquid or gas), decreases as the fluid (liquid or gas), flows faster.

Brainstorming

A stage used in the design and problem-solving process to generate a number and variety of ideas in a noncritical atmosphere.

C.A.D.

Computer-Aided Design (and Drafting): a precision-drawing software program that speeds up the design process by making it easier to create and modify draft designs.

C.A.M.

Computer-aided manufacturing; the operation of a machine controlled by a host computer.

Chassis

Refers to all mechanical parts of the car attached to the structural frame.

Christmas Tree

The Tree, as it often is called, is the noticeable electronic starting device between lanes on the starting line. It displays a calibrated-light countdown for each driver.

Circle Template

A piece of thin plastic with different sized holes punched in it that establishes or serves as a pattern for tracing accurate circles

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Equations that are known are programmed into computers. The computers provide solutions to the problem of external airflow over vehicle shapes.

Design brief

A concise problem statement developed by a student or teacher that identifies what the student will do and what the successful solution will achieve.

Design portfolio

A record of the development of a project from inception to completion.

Design principles

Qualities of balance, layout, measurement, colour, scale, and projection.

Design process

A planning and decision-making process that produces a solution.

Downforce

A vertical force directed downward, produced by airflow around an object. Downforce is generated from the front and rear wings and the venturi tunnels on a ground effect car.

Drag

Force acting on an object in motion through a fluid (in this case air) in an opposite direction to the objects (chassis) motion, produced by friction.

Elapsed Time

An elapsed time, or e.t., is the time it takes a vehicle to travel from the starting line to the finish line.

Eliminations

After qualifying, vehicles race two at a time, resulting in one winner and one loser.

Winners continue to race in tournament-style competition until one remains.

French Curve

A curved piece of flat often plastic material used as a guide in drawing curves

Graphic

Any illustrative element in a page layout, such as a photograph, illustration, icon, ruled line, or any other non-text element.

Hydraulics

Using fluids to transmit and regulate the forces in a machine or device.

Input

Data, materials, resources, or instructions entered into (most often) a computer system.

Laminar

Laminar flow means the fluid is moving in smooth layers around the object. Air flow becomes turbulent moving from the front to the rear of the car, forced around obstructions such as mirrors, helmets, and roll bars.

Lift

The upward reaction of an aircraft to the flow of air air forced over the shape of the wing (airfoil). The front and rear wings of ground effect cars are shaped like inverted wings to create downforce or negative lift.

Logo

A company emblem

Monocoque

A Body structure that derives its strength and rigidity from unitized construction, rather than a framework of thick members.

Output

The actual results of a system, desired or undesired, expected or unexpected.

Parameters

Restrictions affecting the design of a product or system (e.g. size, cost, materials).

Pneumatics

Using air or gas pressure to operate mechanical devices.

Pre-staged

When a driver is approximately seven inches behind the starting line and the small yellow light atop his of her side of the Christmas Tree is glowing.

Production

The process of converting and combining resources to construct, manufacture, or grow something.

Prototype

A model used to test and evaluate a design before final production.

R.P.M.

Revolutions per minute, or rpm, is a measure of engine speed as determined by crankshaft spin.

Scale

The relative size of a plan, drawing, or model.

Sensor

A subsystem used to obtain information or data (i.e. light, temperature, number, movement).

Specifications

a detailed description of design criteria for a piece of work

Sponsor

A person or an organization that pays for or plans and carries out a project or activity usually in return for advertising time during its course

Staged

A driver is staged when the front wheels of the car are right on the starting line and the small yellow light below the prestaged light on his or her side of the Christmas Tree is glowing. Once a driver is staged, the calibrated countdown (see Christmas Tree) may begin at any time.

System

A regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a unified whole.

Technical drawings

Drawings that contain the detailed information required to produce an object or system (i.e. measurement, scale, material, finishing information).

Trademark

A formally registered symbol identifying the manufacturer or distributor of a product.

Turbulent

Turbulent airflow is when the fluid streamlines break into eddies and complex changing patterns. This can cause unstable forces on an object. As the airflow moves from the front of the car to the rear it becomes turbulent.

Venturi

A narrow tunnel under the side pod, shaped like an inverted wing. As air enters and is forced through the narrow center, its speed increases, creating a low-pressure area between the bottom of the car and the track. This creates a suction effect, which holds the car to the track.

Venturi Effect

Fluid speed increases when the fluid is forced through a narrow or restricted area. The increased speed results in a reduction in pressure. The underbody venturi is shaped to create a low pressure area between the road and chassis which creates downforce.

Wind Tunnel

A tube like structure where wind is produced usually by a large fan to flow over the test object. The object is connected to instruments that measure and record aerodynamic forces that act upon it.