Electrathon

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/electrathon

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the vehicle class?Single-occupant, open-wheel electric prototype vehicles
2. What is the key engineering disciplines involved?Mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, aerodynamics, and vehicle dynamics
3. Why do Electrathon cars focus on energy efficiency instead of speed?Because the goal is to use as little electricity as possible, measured in watt‑hours per mile, so the cars are designed to be light and aerodynamic.
4. How do teams make their cars lighter and faster?They use materials like carbon fiber and aluminum, tune the motor and controller, and test shapes in wind tunnels to reduce drag.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD): Computer simulations used to analyze and predict the behavior of fluids, like air, around a vehicle.
Regenerative Braking: A system that converts a vehicle's kinetic energy back into electrical energy during deceleration.
Aerodynamic Coefficient of Drag (Cd): A dimensionless number that quantifies the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment.