Quote:
Originally Posted by DGthe3
Ummm, weight is a force that acts down just like the negative lift that aerodynamic devices create (spoiler downforce). So adding 60 lbs of weight to the rear of a car will affect both the weight distribution and the downforce. Technically speaking, a Chevy Suburban has more downforce (5600 - 6300 lbs) than an F1 racecar driving at top speed (3000+lbs). However the 'burban cannot upside down on the roof of a tunnel like an F1 car theorhetically can because of aerodynamic forces that exceed the weight of the car.
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While weight and downforce aren't entirely mutually exclusive, adding 60 lbs of weight is not the same as adding 60 lbs of downforce. Weight is part of the object's mass that at speed will try to overcome the force of gravity. Downforce is an external force pressing down on the object. When downforce exceeds an objects gravitational pull it can overcome gravity. This is why a Formula 1 race car could theoretically run upside down. An upside down Suburban would have "upforce" equal to the objects mass and instantly crash to the ground with a force equal to 3 tons or so.
Downforce is a product of air movement and acts independently from gravity. Weight is driven entirely by mass and gravity.
