The Physics Behind Tesla’s Flying Roadster

Key points

• Tesla's Roadster 2 prototype has been shown driving up a vertical wall, jumping over a Tesla Semi truck and flying briefly. Physicist Rhett Allain says fans that lower air pressure under the car press it against surfaces, increasing friction.
• This extra grip could also help it accelerate and turn. Compressed air pushing out the back, similar to a rocket, allows the car to reach 0 to 60 miles per hour in under a second.
• Allain estimates the jump produced vertical acceleration of about 10 times gravity, which he says humans could survive briefly but would find unpleasant.