Frictional forces of car tires. Translation

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the frictional forces acting on car tires during translation on a flat surface, specifically addressing the roles of static friction and normal forces on the rear and front wheels. It establishes that the frictional force, F, is calculated as F = U * Nr, where U is the coefficient of static friction and Nr is the normal force on the rear wheels. The front wheels do exert a normal force, Nf, but their contribution to friction is minimal due to inertia effects. This highlights the distinction between frictional force and rolling resistance in vehicle dynamics.

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  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with static friction and normal force concepts
  • Basic knowledge of vehicle dynamics and tire mechanics
  • Awareness of rolling resistance and its impact on vehicle performance
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So assume a vehicle is undergoing translation in the forward direction on a flat surface, and the power is supplied to the rear wheels.
Lets say the reaction force on the rear wheel is Nr, and on the front it's Nf
U is the coeff. static friction, and there's no slipping.
M is the mass
G = gravity

Ignore air drag.I know friction on the rear wheel is pointing in the direction of the cars motion. Assuming

Let me break it down into Axes:

Sum in Y(upward):
Nf+Nr = M*G

Sum in X(forward):
M*a = F (where F is frictional force)

Ill skip the moment equation about the center of gravity

My question, is how come I've read that F=U*Nr --- and not F=U*(Nr+Nf)

The front has a normal force, thus -- it should have a frictional force, would it not?
I've read that this force is backwards (kind of makes sense) and is small and is due to the Inertia of the wheel...Can someone explain this to me, or point me to reference that explains this in detail.

Cliff notes:
Why does the frictional only act on the rear wheels?
 
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They are two forces involved: Friction force and rolling resistance. Friction force depends on the torque application and rolling resistance depends on the rolling direction.

rolling-resistance.gif


See http://hpwizard.com/car-performance.html" for more info (Go to the page bottom: Theory»Longitudinal acceleration)
 

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