In case I've forgotten something about physics (thruster question)

[ZoomsansVroom]

Eletrek had some crazy statement about the thrusters on the Roadster letting it "hover"

A) No idea why a car would ever need upforce, so bit odd...
B) Its still F=ma, right? So, even at hundreds of miles per hour - say even a a thousand miles per hour, we'd still be talking about hundreds of pounds of compressed gas being vented, correct?
C) Anyone remember enough about orifices and pressures, to figure what's the lightest poundage of compressed gas that could meaningfully improve 0-60 times?

 

[PV-EV]

I’m pretty sure the answer is 42

 

[blove]

Isn't it using the same thrusters they use to correct their rockets on descent?

 

[brianman]

A) No idea why a car would ever need upforce, so bit odd...

My interpretation was that the thrusters need to be adjustable (i.e. not fixed position) and that the range of rotation includes (nearly?) straight down as well as (nearly?) straight up. Straight down allows for hovering. In other words, it's a parlor trick allowed by the design rather than a design criteria.

 

[DS 5/15]

This is why...

 

[Uncle Paul]

If the thrusters can generate more lbs of thrust than the car weights, it can indeed hover.

No practical reason for this, but will generate millions in publicity.

Thrusters will be mostly to accelerate and vector car.

 

[Camera-Cruiser]

This is why...

Bravo! This is the most reasonable explanation of the future roadster's abilities.

 

[Brando]

this is a good review of aerodynamics in racing - Formula 1

youtu.be/-NRf2jGrrMc

 

[3s-a-charm]

This is why...

That music though! Early EDM

 

[Dolemite]

This is why...

On the Roadster, control H releases Pervitin directly into the bloodstream

 

[Wnix05]

You could use thrusters to aid in cornering. Imagine going around a track without slowing (much) around curves. It could be g-force activated compensatory side thrusters!

 

[Brando]

My speculation only: Part of the use of "thrusters" might well be to lower the air pressure under the Roadster which would increase the down force which of course increases the tire traction. Tire traction is limiting function. [acceleration/stopping/cornering]

Some history 1977
Undertray or Underbody

 

[Otto Barten]

You could use thrusters to aid in cornering. Imagine going around a track without slowing (much) around curves. It could be g-force activated compensatory side thrusters!

Really like that idea.. would mean there's no theoretical limit to cornering speed I think

 

[DarthPierce]

Really like that idea.. would mean there's no theoretical limit to cornering speed I think

There certainly are limits.
There will be a limit to the amount of force generated by a cold gas thruster, there are limits to the amount of time the thruster can activate before needing to have the COPV replenished, and, even ignoring the above, there are limits to the amount of lateral G force a human can withstand.

 

[bolosky]

There certainly are limits.
There will be a limit to the amount of force generated by a cold gas thruster, there are limits to the amount of time the thruster can activate before needing to have the COPV replenished, and, even ignoring the above, there are limits to the amount of lateral G force a human can withstand.

Maybe it will come with a G-suit option. (I'm kidding, I know that they're really only useful for pullups where the blood drains to you legs, which isn't something a car will do.)