- #1
EFuzzy
- 22
- 0
Hello Everyone,
My friend and I were having a discussion of why car wheels would naturally return back to a forward position if one doesn't hold on to the steering wheel. It could be that its just the car turning to match the direction of the wheel, but I think the wheels turn more to match the direction of the car (it could be an illusion).
From what I understand, turning works because the wheel microscopically slips on the pavement in the direction of the current car movement, but since the wheel is spinning, the kinetic friction only acts normal to the wheel, causing a circular acceleration. This model doesn't explain where the torque comes from that causes the wheel to turn back to forward however. Could someone explain where this (possibly non-existent) phenomenon comes from?
Thanks,
Efuzzy
My friend and I were having a discussion of why car wheels would naturally return back to a forward position if one doesn't hold on to the steering wheel. It could be that its just the car turning to match the direction of the wheel, but I think the wheels turn more to match the direction of the car (it could be an illusion).
From what I understand, turning works because the wheel microscopically slips on the pavement in the direction of the current car movement, but since the wheel is spinning, the kinetic friction only acts normal to the wheel, causing a circular acceleration. This model doesn't explain where the torque comes from that causes the wheel to turn back to forward however. Could someone explain where this (possibly non-existent) phenomenon comes from?
Thanks,
Efuzzy