Downforce - Explained

What is downforce? How does downforce work? Downforce is a downward force that a car experiences at speed due to its aerodynamic design. Features like rear wings and spoilers can help create downforce, and allow a car to corner faster. Formula 1 cars can create huge amounts of downforce, allowing for 4-5g corners. This video helps explain how it's possible.

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[SensBruins]

Id love to see redbull make a video of one of their f1 cars driving upside down!

[redek]

I'm interested in knowing how much of a difference you would see in acceleration by removing a spoiler on something such as an EVO or STI. It would be neat if you could do a video on spoiler vs no spoiler in realistically affordable sports cars! Great videos! :)

[mistgate]

Still waiting for Hot Wheels-style F1 tracks.

[carlylespicks]

Good stuff man! I've been following your channel for some time now and I'm really impressed with your work! I occasionally do videos like yours since I'm a bit of a nerd and I love machines, but I got nothing on you with your knowledge!

[mogey]

Great stuff! While you're doing a series on aerodynamics, a video explaining diffusers and splitters would be awesome!

[nikunjgupta]

At 4:37, while using that equation, you are equating the vertical force(downforce) to the horizontal acceleration, which I think is wrong. So, according to me, the only explanation will be that because of increased drag(horizontal force), the acceleration of the car will be reduced.

[ripstikgod]

Being in an honors physics class in high school, this is really interesting! Your videos further extend the concepts that I have studied throughout the school year making driving an even more fun experience.

[RamBoya]

Great job! The explanation/narrative about the downforce is very simple to understand.

[emilhale]

Had some info on downforce but you gave me more on it. Thanks, good work as always and keep up the good work.

[nblax]

Another thing about accelerating in a high downforce car is that it's related to the speed of the vehicle so it mainly comes into play at higher velocity. An F1 car can make 4 times its weight in lift but that happens near 300km/h. And once at that speed it's like towing a small hatchback car behind you from the drag the cars generate.

[slep]

lol the f1 can corner faster upside down than a normal one right side up

[JacobVossFilms]

Thanks for explaining this man! I really appreciate it :) Keep up the great videos!

[ilkerduvencioglu]

I think you are wrong because the force that you calculated from F=μ*N is for vertical force. If you substitute this force in F=m*a formula, you find maximum vertical acceleration not max. lateral acceleration. Am I wrong?

[daz]

The DRS on an F1 car is an example of how drag can effect your straight line speed/ acceleration. Opening the flap in the rear wing gives a performance advantage. 

[tot]

Can you start explaining about trucks? Heaviest would be a 3500, 350.
Just to learn about torsion bars, strains that lift kits apply, manual locking and automatic locking hubs. Can you also explain the effects of no back pressure to an engine(straight pipe exhaust)? And also (if you can) explain which additives you support to help with power, fuel eco, and engine protection. I'm sorry for a long paragraph of requests but ive watched enough videos to trust your knowledge.

[dudeisnotcoolio]

If friction on the tires is dependent on weight and downforce, why do lighter cars tend to produce more grip than heavier cars? Is it because heavier cars usually have a higher CoG?

[wojasrobert]

The ammount of downforce generated by air simply pressing on the wing, as you presented in the video, is actually marginal and does not guarantee any performance. The most downforce comes from pressure differences between areas above and below the wing - check Bernoulli's principle. It's basically a reversed air lift. It has nothing to do with air hitting the wing, but how fast it flows around the aerodynamic profile.

[danceartist]

Does the frictional drag between the tires and the ground also increase with downforce? Yes right?
Also, seeing as downforce is dependent on the cars velocity, is the effect on the accelleration very important? I'm nowhere near an expert when it comes toncar racing but I'd assume that accelleration is mostly important at low speeds?

[TheSupergunman]

I've just seen your suggestions, these are the topics I would love to know about
Torque Steer, Electronic power steering, E-diffs, Active and Air suspension, especially the suspension, I would love to hear what the difference between Air and Magnetic Ride Control, for example, in the Audi R8 and the C7 Stingray, thank you for a great channel

[MrIrrepressible]

hey EE, another great vid, you have some of the best content on youtube. Have you considered doing vids on aircraft engineering principles ie, after burners, super cruise?