How is it much more fuel efficient to travel at say 50 mph for longer than 70 mph for a shorter period of time. Like if I was going a set distance, if I drive slower I’m using the car longer so why isn’t it the same fuel being used.
In: 15
Air resistance is quadratic with respect to the speed you’re traveling. So the amount of force air is pushing on your car at 20mph is quadrupled at 40mph, etc.
Time saved from going faster is only linear. 40mph is twice as fast as 20mph.
So you’re increasing the amount of resistance your car has to overcome quadratically while only reducing your travel time linearly.
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