Jim Henderson wrote:

> There isn't a linear relationship between the rotational speed of the 
> wheels and the speed of the engine.

Well that's news.

> If I take my foot off the gas, the engine revs drop.  The car may or may 
> not slow down (depending on the road and the landscape).

Not true. The engine revs depend on the speed of the vehicle.

If you don't believe me, try rolling down a hill at 30, and then stick 
the car into 1st gear. Watch the revs go through the roof, even though 
you haven't touched the gas.

> Similarly, if I apply the brakes to a full stop, the engine doesn't die, 
> it idles.

Um, yes it does. Unless...

> Then of course if you put the car in neutral, you've completely 
> disengaged the engine from the wheels.

...you disenguage the engine from the wheels. Then there really isn't 
any relationship. But as long as the car stays in the same gear, there 
is a fixed relationship.

-- 
http://blog.orphi.me.uk/
http://www.zazzle.com/MathematicalOrchid*

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