Car's weight shift with torque & angular momentum

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the relationship between angular momentum and torque in determining the weight distribution on a car's tires during a turn. When a car turns left, the ground exerts a left centripetal force, resulting in increased downforce on the right side tires due to the torque generated. The right-hand rule is utilized to visualize this effect, where the interaction of angular momentum and torque indicates that the right tires will carry more weight. Additionally, the stiffness of the suspension affects the distribution of downforce, with stiffer suspension leading to greater downforce on the corresponding tires.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of angular momentum and torque concepts
  • Familiarity with the right-hand rule in physics
  • Basic knowledge of vehicle dynamics and tire mechanics
  • Awareness of suspension systems and their effects on vehicle handling
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the right-hand rule in rotational dynamics
  • Explore the principles of vehicle dynamics, focusing on weight transfer during turns
  • Research the impact of suspension stiffness on tire performance and downforce distribution
  • Examine case studies involving angular momentum and torque in automotive engineering
USEFUL FOR

Automotive engineers, physics students, and anyone interested in understanding vehicle dynamics and the effects of torque and angular momentum on tire performance during turns.

DanielBailey
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I am having trouble visualizing which two tires of a car will be pushed down based on the angular momentum and torque of that car. Let's say if its angular momentum is point OUT while its torque is pointing UP in relations to the picture below.

My guess is it's the two right wheels of the picture below.

What I think is the angular momentum wants to go where the torque is in other words "the torque is pushing the angular momentum" you can figure out which way the car is leaning more and figure out which tires of the car carries the most weight at that point in time.

Picture:
1653250683.png
 
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If the car is turning to the left, then the ground exerts a left centripetal force onto the tires, below the center of mass which generates an outwards torque on the car, causing the right side tires to experience more downforce than the left side tires. If the suspension in the roll direction is relatively stiffer at one end then the other, then the stiffer end right side tire will experience more downforce than the less stiffer end right side tire. The sum of the downforce on the right side tires isn't affected by the stiffer end effect, just the distribution of the downforce.
 

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