Coefficient of friction for rolling wheels

In summary: Rolling Resistance is just a force perpendicular to the contact point (resulting in a displacement perpendicular to the contact point)In summary, Rolling Resistance is caused by the deformation of the wheel and the road. The lower the Rolling Resistance, the more power the wheel will have.
  • #1
RKD89
78
1
I have fairly basic questions.

How do wheels roll on a surface ? As in what should be the ideal Coefficient of Friction between the wheel surface and the ground, for conditions like "no-slips"

What I understand is if there is no friction between the wheels and the ground , the wheels would keep spinning with slips ( wheel won't have forward motion , will have pure rotational motion )
On the other hand if there is significant friction between the wheels and the ground , there will be power losses due to friction ie the frictional forces would try to retard a wheels rolling motion .

So how do you transmit max power to wheels , without the wheels spinning and without having too much friction losses , what should be the optimum Coefficient of Friction?

Guys Please correct me if my concepts/understanding is wrong
 
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  • #2
Hi RKD89! :smile:
RKD89 said:
… what should be the ideal Coefficient of Friction between the wheel surface and the ground, for conditions like "no-slips"

What I understand is if there is no friction between the wheels and the ground , the wheels would keep spinning with slips ( wheel won't have forward motion , will have pure rotational motion )
On the other hand if there is significant friction between the wheels and the ground , there will be power losses due to friction ie the frictional forces would try to retard a wheels rolling motion .

So how do you transmit max power to wheels , without the wheels spinning and without having too much friction losses , what should be the optimum Coefficient of Friction?

for motion in a straight line, the lower the coefficient of friction, the lower the acceleration (or deceleration) that will be possible before slipping

friction itself does not cause any loss of energy

the energy loss is caused by "rolling resistance", which is basically the deformation of the wheel and the road
 
  • #3
Thanks

Everything makes sense if you assume contact between Wheel and ground to be a point ( 2D)
 

1. What is the coefficient of friction for rolling wheels?

The coefficient of friction for rolling wheels is a measure of the amount of friction or resistance between a wheel and a surface as the wheel rolls without slipping. It is represented by the symbol μ and is a dimensionless quantity, meaning it has no units.

2. How is the coefficient of friction for rolling wheels different from that of sliding friction?

The coefficient of friction for rolling wheels is different from that of sliding friction because it takes into account the rotational motion of the wheel. While sliding friction only considers the forces acting along the direction of motion, rolling friction also includes the effects of tangential forces and torque.

3. What factors affect the coefficient of friction for rolling wheels?

The coefficient of friction for rolling wheels is affected by several factors, including the surface texture and properties of the wheel and the surface it is rolling on, the weight of the wheel, and the speed at which it is rolling. The shape and size of the wheel, as well as the presence of any lubricants or contaminants, can also impact the coefficient of friction.

4. How is the coefficient of friction for rolling wheels measured?

The coefficient of friction for rolling wheels can be measured using a device called a tribometer, which measures the force required to keep a wheel rolling at a constant speed. This force is then compared to the weight of the wheel to calculate the coefficient of friction. Other methods, such as using inclined planes or rotational motion equations, can also be used to calculate the coefficient of friction.

5. Why is the coefficient of friction for rolling wheels important?

The coefficient of friction for rolling wheels is important because it affects the efficiency and performance of many everyday objects, such as tires, bearings, and gears. It is also a crucial factor in designing and engineering machinery and vehicles, as well as understanding the physics of motion and friction. Additionally, the coefficient of friction for rolling wheels can impact safety and stability, especially in situations where traction is important, such as in sports or transportation.

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