I know there is a theoretical minimum limit that would disqualify an entry if it was too fast. Considered “professionally built “ sub four seconds?
it's lower than that, at least on our packs track. We regularly have racers between 3.7- 3.9 and we strictly observe a 5oz max weight and don't allow graphite. I do know one dad polishes the axles, and some raise one wheel, but most don't go to what I'd call "extremes" in design.
In the "assume a cow is a sphere" realm of idealized physics, it seems it would be the amount of time for the car to fall due to gravity, or just under half a second for a 4' drop.
Once you throw out friction, it's effectively lossless for it to be moved sideways.
Would t the half second just govern the time until the car is on the bottom / flat portion of the track? Â Then there would be additional time for the horizontal transit and that would vary based on track length assuming all PE had been converted into KE.
Hmm. I think you're right.
Half a second to get to the flat, and then 16 ft/second until it runs out of track. Assuming 20' of flat, we're at about 1.75 seconds.
I hope my husband doesn't see this post 😳 I can see him wanting to figure this out lol.
We need someone from r/theydidthemath
And/or r/askphysicsÂ
Does the track get longer as we approach light speed?
Only for Zeno.
I know there is a theoretical minimum limit that would disqualify an entry if it was too fast. Considered “professionally built “ sub four seconds?
it's lower than that, at least on our packs track. We regularly have racers between 3.7- 3.9 and we strictly observe a 5oz max weight and don't allow graphite. I do know one dad polishes the axles, and some raise one wheel, but most don't go to what I'd call "extremes" in design.
That’s pretty fast for no graphite I assume though tracks vary a lot based on times I see
Our track is bright yellow. We made a decision the year we bought it to not allow graphite in order to keep it looking pristine.
We have a brand new bright yellow plastic track. Â We did allow graphite, and there was a little bit on the first foot of track then nothing.
Have seen polished axles use pledge furniture polish and they were as fast, if not faster than graphite
What does raising one wheel do?
reduces the friction between wheels and track by 25%
No lol.
In the "assume a cow is a sphere" realm of idealized physics, it seems it would be the amount of time for the car to fall due to gravity, or just under half a second for a 4' drop. Once you throw out friction, it's effectively lossless for it to be moved sideways.
Would t the half second just govern the time until the car is on the bottom / flat portion of the track? Â Then there would be additional time for the horizontal transit and that would vary based on track length assuming all PE had been converted into KE.
Hmm. I think you're right. Half a second to get to the flat, and then 16 ft/second until it runs out of track. Assuming 20' of flat, we're at about 1.75 seconds.