College Physics with MasteringPhysics 7th Edition by Jerry Wilson,Anthony Buffa,Bo Lou

Exercise 84

(a) If an Indy racer had a flat bottom, it would be highly unstable (like an airplane wing) due to the lift it gets when it moves at a high speed. To increase friction and stability, the bottom has a concave section called the Venturi tunnel (Fig.). (a) In terms of Bernoulli's equation, explain how this concavity supplies extra downward force to the car in addition to that supplied by the front and rear wings. (b) What is the purpose of the "spoiler" on the back of the racer

FIGURE Venturi tunnel and spoiler See Conceptual Question.