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



3. More misconceptions about friction: It is independent of surface area:
Not true for tires. Why do you think they put wide tires on performance
cars?

It is my guess that they use wider tires in order to avoid excessive
temperature increases during high performance activities. If the
dissipation of energy occurs over a greater area than heating will be
reduced. Heavier cars require greater dissipation of energy, for the same
motion, than lighter cars do, so heavier cars require bigger (wider and
longer circumference) tires.


On another note, the reason turning into a skid is the recommended
procedured is that by doing so static friction is re-established on the
front tires.


----------------------------------------------------------------
Eugene (Gene) P. Mosca Phone 410-293-6659 (Fax 3729)
Physics Department 410-267-0144 Home
572 Holloway Road 610-683-3597 Summer
U.S.Naval Academy Mailstop 9C, Michelson Rm 339
Annapolis MD 21402 email: mosca@nadn.navy.mil
----------------------------------------------------------------