Could a steering wheel cause acceleration/deceleration of a car?

[bahtiyar]

question: The gas pedal and the brakes of a car are used to change the velocity by accelerating the car or decelerating it. Could a steering wheel perform either of these two actions? Explain.

P.s: Of course velocity is a vector quantity and if the direction of car change there is an acceleration. But I think in the question "accelerating" word meanings the speed up and "decelerating" word meanings slowing down (as you know). So my answer is No ( neglecting some advance interactions for the high school curriculum).
Ps: I'm a non-native English speakers Physics teacher.
thanks

 

[berkeman]

question: The gas pedal and the brakes of a car are used to change the velocity by accelerating the car or decelerating it. Could a steering wheel perform either of these two actions? Explain.

P.s: Of course velocity is a vector quantity and if the direction of car change there is an acceleration. But I think in the question "accelerating" word meanings the speed up and "decelerating" word meanings slowing down (as you know). So my answer is No ( neglecting some advance interactions for the high school curriculum).
Ps: I'm a non-native English speakers Physics teacher.
thanks

Welcome to the PF.

Schoolwork questions need to be posted in the Homework Help section of the PF -- I have moved your thread for you.

When you start a schoolwork thread, you are provided a Template to fill out. It includes a place for you to provide the Relevant Equations, and show your Attempt at a Solution. What equations of motion do you think will help you to answer this question?

 

[CWatters]

I think steering may also increase the rolling resistance of the front wheels.

 

[bahtiyar]

I think steering may also increase the rolling resistance of the front wheels.

yes its true but we neglecting it
the point that I'm curious about the specific meaning of accelerating and decelerating words in this question

 

[berkeman]

I'm curious about the specific meaning of accelerating and decelerating words in this question

Are you using vectors or scalars at this point in the curriculum? If vectors, then I think the answer is Yes, and the explanation is the usual one. The problem is not worded very well, unfortunately. Is it from a textbook? Do you have the Instructor Solution Manual to the textbook with the explanation?

 

[bahtiyar]

Are you using vectors or scalars at this point in the curriculum? If vectors, then I think the answer is Yes, and the explanation is the usual one. The problem is not worded very well, unfortunately. Is it from a textbook? Do you have the Instructor Solution Manual to the textbook with the explanation?

Yes we are using vectors in the cirruculum
The question from the HOLT high school textbook.
There is no solution or explanation for the question in Instructor Solution Manual
But there is non-official non-professional assessment book and it says yes; velocity is a vector quantity and the direction of car change. So there is an acceleration

 

[berkeman]

and it says yes; velocity is a vector quantity and the direction of car change. So there is an acceleration

I would use that answer, and use it as a basis for discussion with your students. It will help them to understand the difference between scalar and vector quantities.

You could also use the example of the vector velocity of a spaceship as it applies thrusters that are aimed orthogonally to its direction of travel...

 

[haruspex]

The confusing part of the question is the reference to deceleration. That term should only be used when considering a change in speed. As far as velocity is concerned, all changes are accelerations.

 

[bahtiyar]

my point is the speed of car won't change with steering (if we neglect the change of the amount of friction forces) and the words accelerating/decelerating meaning speed up/slowing down
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/accelerate

 

[CWatters]

In general use "accelerate" means go faster. In physics "accelerate" can mean change direction.

You are asking us to decide which context is being used.

I would give the same answer as you..

Of course velocity is a vector quantity and if the direction of car change there is an acceleration.

 

[bahtiyar]

thanks everybody

 

[rcgldr]

I think steering may also increase the rolling resistance of the front wheels.

Cornering loads increase deformation and rolling resistance on front and rear tires.

How ideal is the car for this question? What about caster effect? Assuming no internal losses such as axle friction or rolling resistance, the caster in the front tires would cause a motionless car to accelerate laterally when steered. Since after steering, the front tires point somewhat in the lateral direction, the car could be made to move. Then the car could be steered the other direction, repeating the process, allowing the car to accelerate. The effect would be similar to an advanced ice skater being able to take off and accelerate while only using one skate. Clearly this wouldn't work for a real car, but I'm wondering if this was an ice boat with no sail deployed, and the steering skate had caster offset.