- #1
Diresu
- 28
- 0
I'm trying to calculate the top speed of a train and I think I'm almost there but I've hit a wall.
I started off by using the equation found at the link below and solved it for V (velocity).
D=.5*PV^2ACd
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_equation
That gives me
V=SQRT((2D)/(PACd))
When I had finished I realized that this only accounts for air drag. Doesn't the mass of the train also play a factor in it's top speed? I'm not saying that drag isn't the biggest problem it faces but I have to believe mass is also a factor.
I'm using the metric system. Could I add the mass of the train in Kilograms to the right side of the original equation and then solve for V again? More or less that would give me...
The force needed=air resistance at velocity + train mass
Thanks,
Al
I started off by using the equation found at the link below and solved it for V (velocity).
D=.5*PV^2ACd
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_equation
That gives me
V=SQRT((2D)/(PACd))
When I had finished I realized that this only accounts for air drag. Doesn't the mass of the train also play a factor in it's top speed? I'm not saying that drag isn't the biggest problem it faces but I have to believe mass is also a factor.
I'm using the metric system. Could I add the mass of the train in Kilograms to the right side of the original equation and then solve for V again? More or less that would give me...
The force needed=air resistance at velocity + train mass
Thanks,
Al