Chronology Current Month Current Thread Current Date
[Year List] [Month List (current year)] [Date Index] [Thread Index] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Date Prev] [Date Next]

Re: friction




Other considerations for the tires on a drag racer:

1) The coefficient of friction between the road, the tires, and an
intermediate layer of liquid 'rubber' is much lower than between the road
and 'rubber' (or whatever rubber really is today). The WIDE tires have
more area to dissipate (sorry Jim) Heat! You don't want the tires to melt
DURING the race.

2) However, the coefficient of friction between the 'rubber' and 'rubber'
is even better than between the road and 'rubber', so in the Burn-Out, the
racer lays down a strip of tire material by deliberately spinning the tires
and heating them to the point on melting the outer layers of the tire.
They then position themselves on top of the now cooled and solid 'rubber'
for the start of the race where the maximum Static frictional force is
desired for best acceleration.

Watch enough drag races on TNN and you'll actually hear these explanations
(although not quite in the language we would use in the classroom).

Rick Tarara