FoxTrot by Bill Amend for September 29, 2019

let me guess: the cars are going to get more speed if well lubricricated

Tsk, Jason would be taking into account the moments of inertia of the wheels.

I’m surprised that Peter picked up on that. Science doesn’t seem to be his strong suit.

They’ll find the viscosity of olive oil could be a detriment.

I’m surprised Peter actually considered that!

Don’t worry, we’ll put the oil back in the bottle after we’re finished.

He certainly hasn’t allowed for the viscosity of the oil!

And I’m still trying to work out where the 5 came from — unless it’s g/2 rounded up?

Make that a ‘mag-lev’ track and it might have a chance …

I’m impressed, if only kids read comics these days…there is unfortunately too many big words like kinetic and calculations…. but if they did this could seep into their unconscious like a Slurpee…

Hot Wheels – no friction to speak of…

Need to factor in the rigidity of the track and the weight of the hot wheel car. Momentum absorbed by the deflection of the track could kill the speed.

No friction!

“And”, Mom continues, “Why is that car waited with lead?”.

Two minutes later: “Why is there a Hot Wheels car in your brother’s eye?” “Because you made me take a break from video games.”

I’m surprised Peter was able to catch that.

So they’re addressing the friction in the axles (not really), but what are they doing about the coefficient of drag?

Jason looks kinda weird…

Why is nobody curious why these kids, including Peter, understand calculus? Have you talked to today’s kids?

They should have done a preliminary experiment with a U-shaped track. By measuring the release height and final height of the car they could get the percent energy lost to friction. Once they’ve done that they can work backward from their calculation to get the correct minimum release height with friction at least partially accounted for. The students in my remedial physics class used to do this exact experiment with Hot Wheels track and either steel balls or cars, their choice.

It’s been a quarter of century since I’ve done anything formal with physics and I think I got most of that.

Why isn’t there a trademark symbol after the words Hot Wheels®?

Guys, you need to lubricate the track. And Astroglide would have been a better choice of lubricant.

If the friction doesn’t get you, the crash certainly will.

Maybe eating the banana is making Peter smarter. You know, tooth is stronger than friction.

I woulda gone for teflon bike lube.

Only in fiction is there no friction.

http://www.davidbrin.com/practiceeffect.html

Waaa… Peter knows math?

A frictionless surface will be next to impossible. Doesn’t mean they can’t lower the friction though.

The paint just dissolved… the car is ready!!

Their biggest omission in the calculation is where the olive oil-covered hot wheels car winds up in Page’s room.

(hA-hB)=>r/2; hA=>hB+r/2; hB=2r; hA=>2r+r/2; hA=>5r/2

The starting point needs to be higher. What is to stop the cars from going off track? Also, their loop isn’t round.

Being one of the least mathematically minded people on the planet do any of the equasions shon on this strip actually work out?

NERD!