Centripetal force and friction

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the role of centripetal force and friction in a car's turning motion. It clarifies that static friction, not rolling resistance, is responsible for the centripetal force during a turn. The concept of the "scrub angle," which is the angle between the tire's direction and the velocity vector, is crucial for understanding how lateral forces are generated. Additionally, the force generated varies based on tire tread design and requires specific calculations related to tread distortion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of centripetal force in physics
  • Knowledge of static friction versus rolling resistance
  • Familiarity with the concept of scrub angle in vehicle dynamics
  • Basic principles of tire tread design and its impact on performance
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical modeling of centripetal force in circular motion
  • Learn about the effects of tire tread design on friction and handling
  • Study the relationship between scrub angle and lateral force generation
  • Explore advanced topics in vehicle dynamics and tire performance analysis
USEFUL FOR

Automotive engineers, physics students, and anyone interested in vehicle dynamics and tire performance optimization.

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As a car makes a turn, there is a centripetal force due to friction causing this turn if I'm correct. How is this possible if the tangent line of the turn is the direction of the cars motion, and friction acts in the opposite direction? I would think that the force of friction where the centripetal force acts.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
In modeling the turning force of a tire, there is something called the "scrub angle", which is the angle between the direction the tire is pointing and the velocity vector. The lateral force is derived from the scrub angle. The details of how much force is generated requires calculations of tread distortion and is different for each tire tread design.
 

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