An Experimental Study of The
Aerofoil-Shaped Formula One Rear
Wing
A PHYSICS EXTENDED ESSAY
Research Question: "To what extent does a change in the angle of attack of an aero-foil shaped
rear wing affect the magnitude of downforce produced”
Word Count: 3694
1
Angle of attack Downforce Freestream Pressure Temperature
( flow speed
5 0.22 1.2 102.1 25
10 0.36 1.3 102.1 25
15 0.71 1.3 102.1 25
20 0.90 1.2 102.1 25
25 1.18 1.3 102.1 25
30 1.18 1.2 102.1 25
35 1.07 1.2 102.1 25
40 0.94 1.2 102.1 25
Table 4.1: Raw average experiment data (the full data can be found in the appetencies at the end of the document)
Angle Force of lift Air-speed Density Area
) ( ( ( ) ( )
5 -0.023 1.2 1.2 1.1
10 -0.036 1.2 1.2 1.1
15 -0.072 1.3 1.2 1.1
20 -0.092 1.2 1.2 1.1
25 -0.12 1.3 1.2 1.1
30 -0.12 1.2 1.2 1.1
35 -0.11 1.2 1.2 1.1
40 -0.096 1.2 1.2 1.1
Angle Lift Coefficient Random error in lift coefficient
( ± 1)
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Table 4.3: Processed data
Angle Force in g Air-speed Pressure Temperature
(± 1) (± 0.06) (m/s ± 0.1) (kpa ± 0.1) (°C ± 1)
5 0.03 1.1 102.1 25
10 0.38 1.1 102.1 25
15 0.49 1.2 102.1 25
20 0.77 1.2 102.1 24
25 1.06 1.2 102.1 25
30 1.01 1.2 102.1 25
35 0.97 1.3 102.1 25
40 0.96 1.2 102.1 24
Trail 2
Angle Force in g Air-speed Pressure Temperature
(± 1) (± 0.06) (m/s ± 0.1) (kpa ± 0.1) (°C ± 1)
5 0.25 1.2 102.1 24
10 0.34 1.3 102.1 24
15 0.67 1.2 102.1 24
20 0.92 1.2 102.1 24
25 1.25 1.2 102.1 24
30 1.24 1.3 102.1 24
35 1.11 1.2 102.1 25
40 0.96 1.2 102.1 25
Trail 3
Angle Force in g Air-speed Pressure Temperature
(± 1) (± 0.06) (m/s ± 0.1) (kpa ± 0.1) (°C ± 1)
5 0.2 1.2 102.1 24
10 0.39 1.2 102.1 24
15 0.72 1.3 102.1 25
20 0.92 1.2 102.1 25
25 1.18 1.3 102.1 26
30 1.17 1.2 102.1 26
35 1.09 1.2 102.1 25
40 0.93 1.2 102.1 25
Trail 4
Angle Force in g Air-speed Pressure Temperature
(± 1) (± 0.06) (m/s ± 0.1) (kpa ± 0.1) (°C ± 1)
5 0.21 1.2 102.1 26
10 0.31 1.2 102.1 25
15 0.73 1.3 102.1 25
20 0.89 1.2 102.1 24
25 1.13 1.3 102.1 24
30 1.19 1.2 102.1 24
35 1.05 1.2 102.1 25
40 0.93 1.2 102.1 26
Average
Angle of attack Force in g Air-speed Pressure Temperature
(± 1) (± 0.06) (m/s ± 0.1) (kpa ± 0.1) (°C ± 1)
5 0.1725 1.175 102.1 24.75
10 0.355 1.2 102.1 24.5
15 0.6525 1.25 102.1 24.75
20 0.875 1.2 102.1 24.25
25 1.155 1.25 102.1 24.75
30 1.1525 1.225 102.1 24.75
35 1.055 1.225 102.1 25
40 0.945 1.2 102.1 25
Calculations
Angle (deg) Force (N) Air-speed (m/s) Density (kg/m3) Area (m2) Lift Coeff.
5 -0.0227 1.20 1.194 1.0695 0.024669602
10 -0.0362 1.20 1.195 1.0695 0.039327457
15 -0.0721 1.25 1.194 1.0695 0.072293797
20 -0.0917 1.20 1.196 1.0695 0.099619669
25 -0.1203 1.25 1.194 1.0695 0.120574813
30 -0.1200 1.23 1.194 1.0695 0.125280464
35 -0.1088 1.23 1.193 1.0695 0.113672296
40 -0.0958 1.20 1.193 1.0695 0.104309602
Uncertainty in avg data
(relative)
Angle of attack Force in g Force in N Air-speed Pressure Temperatur Area
( ± %) ( ± %) e ( ± %) (m^2)
20.00 11.24 11.45 4.17 0.10 4.04 0.00
10.00 11.27 11.49 4.00 0.10 2.04 0.00
6.67 4.24 4.32 4.00 0.10 2.02 0.00
5.00 2.78 2.83 4.17 0.10 2.06 0.00
4.00 8.05 8.21 4.00 0.10 4.04 0.00
3.33 5.52 5.63 4.08 0.10 4.04 0.00
2.86 4.22 4.30 4.08 0.10 2.00 0.00
2.50 1.60 1.63 4.17 0.10 4.00 0.00
Uncertainty in calculations (relative)
Force (N) Air-speed (m/s) Area (m^2) Lift Coeff. Reynolds Number
11.45 4.17 0 19.76 8.31
11.49 4.00 0 17.62 6.14
4.32 4.00 0 10.44 6.12
2.83 4.17 0 9.16 6.33
8.21 4.00 0 16.35 8.14
5.63 4.08 0 13.85 8.22
4.30 4.08 0 10.48 6.18
1.63 4.17 0 9.89 8.26
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EE/RPPF
For use from May/November 2018
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Candidate personal code: 6969
Extended essay - Reflections on planning and progress form
Candidate: This form is to be completed by the candidate during the course and completion of their EE. This document
records reflections on your planning and progress, and the nature of your discussions with your supervisor. You must
undertake three formal reflection sessions with your supervisor: The first formal reflection session should focus on your initial
ideas and how you plan to undertake your research; the interim reflection session is once a significant amount of your research
has been completed, and the final session will be in the form of a viva voce once you have completed and handed in your EE.
This document acts as a record in supporting the authenticity of your work. The three reflections combined must amount to no
more than 500 words.
The completion of this form is a mandatory requirement of the EE. It must be submitted together with the completed
EE for assessment under Criterion E. As per the ‘Protocols for completing and submitting the Reflections on
planning and progress form’ section of the EE guide, a mark of 0 will be awarded by the examiner for criterion E if
the RPPF is blank or the comments are written in a language other than that of the accompanying essay.
Supervisor: You must have three reflection sessions with each candidate, one early on in the process, an interim meeting
and then the final viva voce. Other check-in sessions are permitted but do not need to be recorded on this sheet. After each
reflection session candidates must record their reflections and as the supervisor you must sign and date this form.
First reflection session
Candidate comments:
I've always, even before starting IB, had my mind set on doing my EE on fluid dynamics. My initial idea was to test the shape
of nose cones, which was sparked through my interest in rocketry, but after pondering about the idea and did some test
experiments, it would be extremely hard to complete an experiment using the testing equipment in our school. I therefore
tried to learn about Fluid dynamics simulation software (CFD), but I soon discovered that it was extremely complicated, so I
backed out.
I therefore had to think of a new idea, but I was still eager to learn about fluid dynamics and had just discovered that there’s
a lot of fluid dynamics going on in the motorsport; Formula 1. I then decided that I would focus on the rear-wing dynamics,
since wings are something that’s reasonably easier to understand (at least at a surface level), compared to nose-cones.
Date: Supervisor initials:
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International Baccalaureate® | Baccalauréat International® | Bachillerato Internacional®
EE/RPPF
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Interim reflection
Candidate comments:
A friend of mine was doing his topic on aircraft wings, so we decided to unite together and create a wind-tunnel out of
cardboard to use for our experiments. But with it came many complications and ideas that sounded good at first, but later
turned out to hinder our experiments. I also had to construct a wing using wood, which was a fun experience. I also research
on wind-tunnel design and figured that a honey-comb filter would be needed to ensure a good airflow.
While doing my research, I searched the web for scholarly articles on rear-wing performance, as it was a topic I though
would be well documented and tested due to the size of the motorsport. And I found a lot of articles that I read through, most
contained theory I did not know, I therefore had to rent a book from the library about the “fundamentals of fluid dynamics”.
However, I soon so this was a great challenge for me because it contained a lot of advanced calculus. This calculus was
beyond me, so I decided that my EE would not go down the mathematical path and instead focus on written explanations.
Date: Supervisor initials:
Final reflection - Viva voce
Candidate comments:
To reflect on the writing of the EE, I’d say that overall, I’m happy with my work, though It could have been a bit better.
For starters, cardboard should have been replaced with wood in the construction of the wind-tunnel, since cardboard was
hard to work when conducting my experiments. I’d also design a better system for mounting the wing inside the tunnel to
lower my uncertainties. If the uncertainties were lower, I’d most likely get better data and could draw a more accurate
conclusion.
I’m happy with the way I worked with the EE and I’m sure that the skills I’ve learned will serve me greatly in university life. I
have learned how to conduct an experiment and organize data with uncertainties, and how to visualize it properly, though, I
wish I had used LaTeX when writing my EE as it would’ve been easier to format equations, tables and graphs.
Date: Supervisor initials:
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Supervisor comments:
Supervisor: By submitting this candidate work for assessment, you are taking responsibility for its authenticity. No piece of candidate work
should be uploaded/submitted to the e-Coursework system if its authenticity is in doubt or if contradictory comments are added to this form. If
your text in the box below raises any doubt on the authenticity of the work, this component will not be assessed.
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