When does friction in a car becomes positive?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of friction in vehicles, specifically questioning when friction becomes "positive" on different surfaces such as dry, wet, and icy conditions. It is established that the terms "positive" and "negative" in relation to friction are arbitrary and depend on the chosen coordinate system. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the coordinate axis setup to clarify misconceptions about frictional forces. For further clarity, it is recommended to consult relevant tutorials on the topic.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly forces and friction.
  • Familiarity with coordinate systems and their applications in physics.
  • Knowledge of vehicle dynamics and how friction affects motion.
  • Ability to interpret and analyze physics tutorials and educational materials.
NEXT STEPS
  • Review tutorials on friction and its role in vehicle dynamics.
  • Study the principles of coordinate systems in physics.
  • Explore the effects of different surface conditions on frictional forces.
  • Learn about the mathematical representation of forces in physics.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, automotive engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of friction and its impact on vehicle performance under various conditions.

chronocross_xp
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when does friction in a car becomes positive? in a dry surface and i na wet surface and on ice.
 
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chronocross_xp said:
when does friction in a car becomes positive? in a dry surface and i na wet surface and on ice.

You should know why this question doesn't make sense. What you call "positive" and "negative" are really arbitrary. It is in reference to the coordinate axis that YOU (or anyone else) set up. If the frictional force happens to be in the same direction as what you call "positive x-axis", for example, then it is positive!

Maybe, indirectly, the proper setting up of coordinate axis could be the source of your problem. I would recommend looking at one of the tutorials that we have on here to see if this is something you should understand first.

Zz.
 

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