Driving a Car on a Straight Road: Analyzing Forces

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The discussion focuses on the forces acting on a car driving on a straight road, specifically engine torque, friction, and air resistance. It clarifies that when the car is at rest, the minimum engine torque required to initiate movement must overcome both the rolling resistance of the rear wheels and the static friction of the front wheels. As the car accelerates, the forces change, with kinetic friction taking over if the engine torque exceeds static friction. Participants emphasize the importance of accurately defining static versus kinetic friction in the context of acceleration. Overall, understanding these forces is crucial for the project's success in simulating car dynamics.
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I am building a project,where you drive a car on a straight road.

The car has 3 kinds of forces:
1)Torque of engine in the wheels
2)Friction on the tyres
3)Force due to air resistance

If a car accelerating,and is front wheel drive,then the 2 front wheels have these forces:

<-------(Engine Torque)-------O------(Static friction)-------------->

and the rear wheels

<-------(Rolling friction)-------O


so car has these forces:

<---(Engine torque,rolling friction,air resistance force)--(CAR)--(Static friction force)---->

So,Whats the total force?

F=engine_torque-air_resistance-rolling_friction-static_friction ?

I read that static friction causes movement...so static friction is equal to engine torque?I am comfused.
 
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impel123 said:
I am building a project,where you drive a car on a straight road.

The car has 3 kinds of forces:
1)Torque of engine in the wheels
2)Friction on the tyres
3)Force due to air resistance

If a car accelerating,and is front wheel drive,then the 2 front wheels have these forces:

<-------(Engine Torque)-------O------(Static friction)-------------->

and the rear wheels

<-------(Rolling friction)-------O


so car has these forces:

<---(Engine torque,rolling friction,air resistance force)--(CAR)--(Static friction force)---->

So,Whats the total force?

F=engine_torque-air_resistance-rolling_friction-static_friction ?

I read that static friction causes movement...so static friction is equal to engine torque?I am comfused.

I think it would make the problem more clear if you think of engine torque and static friction being in the same direction.

<---(Engine torque ~ Static friction force)--(CAR)--(rolling friction, air resistance)---->
 
so,if engine torque on front wheels<=static friction then

F_total=Engine_torque-air_resistance-rolling_friction_in_rear_wheels

else ,if engine torque on front wheels>static friction then

F_total=Kinetik_friction_force_in_front_wheels-air_resistance-rolling_friction_in_rear_wheels


When car speed=0,what is the minimum engine torque to start the car to move?

F_minumum=rolling_resistance_rear_wheels+x
where x is friction resistance on the front wheels.

What is the x?rolling friction again?
 
impel123 said:
so,if engine torque on front wheels<=static friction then

F_total=Engine_torque-air_resistance-rolling_friction_in_rear_wheels
It might also be a good idea to stop referring to the force as static friction.
Although technically correct, it's a bit confusing, as evidenced by your following statement:
else ,if engine torque on front wheels>static friction then
If the torque exceeds the static friction then you no longer have static friction, ie. your wheels will spin and you will have kinetic friction.
F_total=Kinetik_friction_force_in_front_wheels-air_resistance-rolling_friction_in_rear_wheels

When car speed=0,what is the minimum engine torque to start the car to move?
It would be equal to the force required to move the car.
F_minumum=rolling_resistance_rear_wheels+x
where x is friction resistance on the front wheels.

What is the x?rolling friction again?
Rolling friction is the resistance of a wheel being rolled over a surface.
 
I can't understand what is the minimun engine torque required to move the car,if initialy car speed=0..there is no resistance?

when car speed is >0 then the rear wheels have rolling friction,and the front wheels static friction so

if speed>0 then
Ftotal=Engine_torque-air_resistance-rolling_friction_rear_wheels

else is speed =0 then
Ftotal=Engine_torque

Is this right?
 
impel123 said:
I can't understand what is the minimun engine torque required to move the car,if initialy car speed=0..there is no resistance?
There is always resistance.
when car speed is >0 then the rear wheels have rolling friction,and the front wheels static friction so
The front wheels also have rolling friction.
if speed>0 then
Ftotal=Engine_torque-air_resistance-rolling_friction_rear_wheels
Basically. Yes.
else is speed =0 then
Ftotal=Engine_torque

Is this right?
I do not understand the question.
 
then,if and front wheels and rear wheels have rolling resistance,when speed>0

Ftotal=Engine_torque-air_resistance-front_wheels_rolling_resistance-rear_wheels_rolling_resistance


if speed=0,which is the minimum engine torque required to start the car to move?

Why don't you answer my questions?

I need to know which are the forces in the car when speed>0 and which is the minimun
engine torque required to move the car if speed=0.

There are 4 kinds of forces:
1)engine torque
2)rear_wheels rolling resistance
3)front wheels rolling resistance
4)air resistance

Give me an answer please...
 
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