Me neither. Didn't take it. But have come across something called 'kinetic energy' (energy of movement) that is quantified by the formula K.E. = 1/2 Mass times Velocity Squared. The question often comes up on RV forums about how fast people drive their rigs and disagreements ensue. Just saying . . . Do the math.

Well, I had an uncle that always said, "drive fast, love hard, die young, and leave a beautiful memory!"

KE unit is joules right? I'm fuzzy on that part of highschool physics too, just how much is a joule ... is it the amount of energy that'll raise one g of water one degree c or something like that?

I don't remember high school physics because I never had it. I was in bonehead math.But even in bonehead math I learned:The faster you go, the more its going to hurt when you hit something.

Isn't kinetic energy the result of a Prevost coach and a Toyota Prius connecting in an intersection when both drivers thought they had the right of way?

GordonThree wrote:KE unit is joules right? I'm fuzzy on that part of highschool physics too, just how much is a joule ... is it the amount of energy that'll raise one g of water one degree c or something like that?That would be a calorie (with a small c), one thousandth of a Calorie (with a big C) or kilocalorie that is used for foods. A joule is a kilogram meter squared per second squared (which clears everything up, right?), or equivalently a watt-second. It's a bit less than a quarter of a calorie (with a small c).Naturally, the nature of the relationship between kinetic energy and velocity is the same regardless of what units one uses. In terms of surviving a crash, arguably more important than the total energy dissipated is the rate of deceleration, which incidentally has a lot to do with how large crush structures on vehicles need to be in order to be effective.

Remember your HS Physics? | Good Sam Community

68 Replies

martipr
Explorer
May 21, 2015
DutchmenSport wrote:
Well, I had an uncle that always said, "drive fast, love hard, die young, and leave a beautiful memory!"

That is an old Country Song, originally by Faron Young in 1955, written by Joe Allison. It has since been recorder by several others including Willie Nelson.
Cloud_Dancer
Explorer II
May 16, 2015
IF you're the only one on the road, and if you are encountering crosswinds of significant force,.....yes, the slower you go the better your chances of staying in control of your vehicle. While the physics remain the same (the numbers change), there's other factors at play. IF I'm the driver, it's common sense that convinces me to get off the road and park, let the winds subside.
pnichols
Explorer II
May 16, 2015
The scenario: Driving in New Mexico on a highway/freeway with side wind gusts up to 45 MPH.

Question: I wonder what physics come into play here - does driving slower lower your risk of staying in control .... or doesn't speed matter with respect to whether or not one should be driving in side winds gusts of any given wind speed?

FWIW: We have driven in NM with side wind gust speeds higher than that while maintaining solid control. However we slowed down, our RV is a small motorhome, and we don't tow anything.
Allworth
Explorer II
May 16, 2015
Too much thinking. Not enough camping.
wilber1
Explorer
May 16, 2015
johnnyrv wrote:
motorweek on pbs rates cars on their stopping distance which varies widely from car to car. so the real world is more complex the math models of simple physics.

There are differences in vehicles, tires, brake balance, ABS performance, aerodynamics etc that can influence braking distances but the physics don't change. Rule of thumb. Double your weight, double your stopping distance. Double your speed, quadruple your stopping distance.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
May 15, 2015
If you take that biscuit made from that sack of flour and tub of butter and toss it at the same house, I bet the house will stop the kinetic energy in that biscuit too! :)
navegator
Explorer
May 15, 2015
And with some caloric energy and a pinch of salt you end with biscuits, all we need now is the gravy.

navegator
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
May 15, 2015
ChopperBill wrote:
Math 101. No calculator needed. It takes a whole sack of flour to make a big biscuit.

And a tub of butter
navegator
Explorer
May 15, 2015
Everything that is in motion will eventually stop, either gently or with a sudden loos of kinetic energy, I prefer to stop my RV and toad gently rather than suddenly, it is better on my body and the wallet.

E=mc2 tends to be a little to sudden a change for me, the shock wave alone is just to much for me to handle, I still think we all should have Conestoga wagons and a pair of oxen, we would really enjoy nature, and think of the interminable vistas we would enjoy with every step.

Live long and prosper my fellow travelers.

navegator
FlatBroke
Explorer II
May 15, 2015
Math 101. No calculator needed. It takes a whole sack of flour to make a big biscuit.