Peter Firla asks about power vs torque.
I took a bit of college physics, which doesn't make me any more than a
novice on the subject. But the distinction between the scientific
descriptions of horsepower and torque is simple.
> Both apparently refer to the ability to do a certain amount of work within
a
> specific time
Wrong. Horsepower is a measure of work, which is more or less accelerating
a mass for a given period of time.
Torque is just a force.
Here's how you can really feel the difference between these two terms. Have
you ever lifted weights as exercise? Torque is a measure of your ability to
do one curl. Let's say you can curl 50 lbs and your buddy can only curl 30
lbs. You are able to excert a higher torque. Horsepower is a measure of
how much weight you can lift from the floor to, say, a raised platform over
a given period of time. So, in an hour your buddy might be able to do 20
sets of curls with his whimpy 30 lb weight, while you struggle to do 5 sets
with your 50 lb bar. Your buddy has just done more work than you, or in car
terms, has put out a higher horsepower than you.
Now, applying this to cars, imagine that the conditioning of your legs vs
your friends legs is analogous. You both find yourselves out of gas at the
side of the road, and you have to push your cars to the gas station at the
next exit, a mile away. As you both start to push, your stronger legs will
get your car rolling faster, quicker, and you'll look back at your buddy,
laughing. You'll reach some terminal velocity--call it 2 mph--where the
friction of the tires prevents you from making the car go any faster.
You're way out in front and will clearly win this race. But wait! Your
friend is able to continue accelerating his car when he reaches 2 mph, and
he manages to get his up to 2.2 mph before friction enforces his terminal
speed. So he's got a full tank of gas and is enjoying a cold beer as you
puff into the station, even though you won the initial drag race.
This is still a vague description, but hopefully it clears things up a
little--it's as far as my understanding goes.
Kevin Riggs
'72 TR6
rkriggs@ingr.com
Huntsville, AL
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