Well..... I'd like to see some of the 'evidence' of whomever told you.
The 'gas' might make a difference if you were trying to transfer the heat from the surface of the tyre through to the wheel via the gas...as that's the only bit the gas could really affect. If your wheels were acting as the heat-radiator, then it MIGHT make a difference...... but I doubt it has any measureable effect. Perhaps it does but I suspect the effect is MICROSCOPIC!
Other than that, the gas involved won't affect the heat much. Yup, it might have a small effect in that some gases may 'hold' more heat and act like a reservoir...... but..... I am not entirely sure I am correct on that (at almost 60, I've forgotten most of the physics I learned in school!). In any case, the number of molecules in the gas are SO small, I can't see them having anywhere NEAR as much 'reservoir effect' as the mass of the tyre/wheel.
The BIGGEST effect of the gas chosen seems to be the humidty. The more humid the gas (crudely), the more the PRESSURE changes as the temperature changes. 'Dry' gasses are thus usually counted as 'better' as they change pressure less as the temperature fluctuates.
The bit I was HOPING someone would say was that humid 'air' is HEAVIER than 'dry air'. I too thought that..... until recently.
It seems OBVIOUS that air with water in it would be HEAVIER (more mass) than dry air..... it AIN'T..... it's LIGHTER!
Basically, molecules of H2O are LIGHTER than the 'average' 'molecule' of 'air' and thus 'humid air' is LIGHTER!
That came as a surprise to me, too!
As I said, you'll hear LOADS of stuff said in karting with absolute conviction! The person telling you TRULY believes it. People, like me, don't KNOW the answer so I would sugtgest that you take every piece of advice you hear and simply 'weigh it up'. Does the advice SOUND as thought it makes sense?
Don't trust ME! Trust your common sense!
I have coined the saying:-
"80% of what you are told in Karting is TRIPE.... I just wish I knew WHICH 80%!"
Next, someone will tell you that the material that the seat's made of makes HUGE differences........
Ian
|
|
