The text states that tires on ordinary cars use the regular air that we breathe, but race car tires use pure nitrogen. Which two reasons explain why?
A The tire holds its pressure longer with nitrogen.
B Pit crews have to calculate tire pressure.
C Nitrogen does not cost as much as regular air.
D The air used in tires will expand with heat.
E Nitrogen expands less than regular air.
The correct answers are A and E.
A. The tire holds its pressure longer with nitrogen: Nitrogen-filled tires tend to maintain their pressure for a longer time compared to regular air because nitrogen molecules are larger and less likely to escape through the tire material.
E. Nitrogen expands less than regular air: Nitrogen gas expands less than air (which contains oxygen and water vapor) when heated, leading to more stable tire pressure during races where temperature fluctuations can be significant.
Using nitrogen helps ensure consistent tire performance, which is crucial in racing conditions.