Weight, Transition and Axle Height

[The Iceman]

I've been wanted to ask this and thought I'd throw it out there.

When the car comes down and hits the Transition and rotates that weight on the rear axle. Does the rotation add to the push? Or does the weight overwhelm any rotation push/benefit? So is it better to have your Axle high, Med or low. I've done some testing with weights an it was inconclusive, or my car isn't at the edge enough to tell the difference.

Thanks

 

[Obsessedderbydad]

From what Ive read and watched on videos, the more weight on the wheels, the slower the car will be because the weight adds to the friction. I dont know if its true or not, but that video that guy did about building a pinewood derby car, he was from NASA or whatever explains it.

 

[B_Regal Racing]

This explains everything:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_To_Build_a_Pinewood_Derby_Car/Physics

 

[OPARENNEN]

I only go by observation, but my transition point is exactly the same as BestTrack, and sight-wise, it seems like as the weight hits the transition point, it acts a bit like a slingshot. It might be an illusion, but it sure likes a speed pickup to me.

 

[ngyoung]

I think it is mostly an illusion, like a rollercoaster, the point where it is going the fastest is at the bottom of the drop. Once the weight is done falling, acceleration stops.

 

[The Iceman]

This explains everything:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_To_Build_a_Pinewood_Derby_Car/Physics

I think they are missing one, the rotating mass of the weight of the car energy is used where? Is it part of the slingshot effect? and if so does the axles have to be high or low to use it? But then again maybe its so small that you can't tell. My little drawing show that the lower would take advantage of it. but then would you loose some energy from the push of the weights?