03-09-2015, 02:31 PM
My interest and curiosity piqued, I decided to watch videos on horsepower vs. torque during my treadmill run. Talk about making an already painful experience worse. A few things I've come away with:
First, there are an immeasurable number of people who understand this stuff much better than I do or ever will.
Second, the theories explained by Chip are not ones he made up. Instead, they are grounded in physics and mathematics and shared by many who, by all appearances, know what they're talking about. I think Chip's explanations are among the best I've read/seen so far.
Third, there's more to acceleration than horsepower or torque at a certain rpm. There are a whole host of factors that figure in, only a small fraction of which I have some idea about. That includes gearing, weight, traction, wind resistance and I'm sure scores more.
Finally, as much as I'd like to pretend I don't care about this stuff, I find it fascinating. I don't have aspirations to become a mechanical engineer or engine designer but the fact that we can build a machine that propels us forward at the twist of the wrist is mind boggling. Something I take for granted. Getting a peek backstage and seeing how the magician performs his tricks is pretty exciting.
First, there are an immeasurable number of people who understand this stuff much better than I do or ever will.
Second, the theories explained by Chip are not ones he made up. Instead, they are grounded in physics and mathematics and shared by many who, by all appearances, know what they're talking about. I think Chip's explanations are among the best I've read/seen so far.
Third, there's more to acceleration than horsepower or torque at a certain rpm. There are a whole host of factors that figure in, only a small fraction of which I have some idea about. That includes gearing, weight, traction, wind resistance and I'm sure scores more.
Finally, as much as I'd like to pretend I don't care about this stuff, I find it fascinating. I don't have aspirations to become a mechanical engineer or engine designer but the fact that we can build a machine that propels us forward at the twist of the wrist is mind boggling. Something I take for granted. Getting a peek backstage and seeing how the magician performs his tricks is pretty exciting.