Posted by Sherman in Idaho [72.47.153.29] on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 12:39:29 :
In Reply to: Re: Because of physics. posted by CSCameron [75.171.81.26] on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 11:13:09 :
The misconception is that a wedge shape, pointing into the wind, has the least air resistance, but it's almost the opposite. A teardrop shape is the best. It's not so much pushing the air out of the way in front that causes drag, but the turbulent low-pressure area behind the car sucking it backward that does. An ideal car would have a rounded front and a long tapered tail to maintain laminar flow all along it. The trouble is that pointy tails are impractical. You're starting to see some approximation of pointy tails on the backs of semi-trailers now.
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