uhh can you please put that in a little bit easier words, I am only in grade 11 lol and its my first physics class :\Berko said:Well, if friction is caused on the microscopic level by bonds made between the material of the tire and the material of the ground, it would stand to reason that wider tires give more surface contact and thus more friction.
That being said, I am not 100% about this and would love confirmation or a reason why this is not so.
Well my teacher isn't expecting a mathematical answer. He just wants a conceptual answer as to why this is the case (If its true) and what the advantages are in wider tires. I've heard different opinions which seem to be sometimes completely opposite of each other and I am wondering what is rightbcrowell said:Physics textbooks typically present a mathematical model of friction. You need to use that.
Berko said:In actuality, surface area does matter, which is why racing car tires are wider.
Thank you, that is what i needed!Berko said:I just checked Wikipedia. The formula given in textbooks (as quoted above) is an approximation.
In actuality, surface area does matter, which is why racing car tires are wider.
Wider tires experience more friction because they have a larger surface area in contact with the ground. This increased contact creates more resistance and therefore more friction.
Yes, wider tires can be slower due to the increased friction. However, they also have more stability and traction, which can be beneficial in certain situations such as off-roading or wet conditions.
Yes, there is a trade-off between traction and speed. Wider tires provide better traction but can be slower, while narrow tires have less traction but can be faster. It ultimately depends on the specific needs and conditions of the vehicle and the driver.
Yes, there are other factors that can affect tire friction, such as the type of tire tread, the condition of the road surface, and the weight of the vehicle. These factors can also impact the overall performance of the tires.
Yes, tire pressure can affect tire friction. Over-inflated tires have less contact with the ground, resulting in less friction and potentially faster speeds. Under-inflated tires have more contact with the ground, resulting in more friction and potentially slower speeds.