How come friction can make a car turn?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the role of friction in enabling a car to turn. It is established that frictional forces act in the direction opposite to the wheel's rotation when a car turns, allowing for lateral acceleration. The conversation highlights the importance of static friction in maintaining control during turns, as well as the distinction between lateral and longitudinal forces acting on the tires. Key references include the "Circle of Forces" and the "Traction Circle," which provide further insights into these dynamics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts such as force and acceleration
  • Familiarity with static friction and its role in vehicle dynamics
  • Knowledge of tire dynamics and contact patches
  • Awareness of the "Circle of Forces" and "Traction Circle" principles
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of static friction in vehicle dynamics
  • Learn about the "Circle of Forces" and its application in automotive physics
  • Explore the "Traction Circle" and its implications for performance driving
  • Investigate the effects of tire design on friction and handling
USEFUL FOR

High school students, automotive engineering enthusiasts, physics learners, and anyone interested in understanding vehicle dynamics and the role of friction in turning mechanics.

James Brown
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How is it possible that friction makes car turn? From what I know, frictional force is acting along to the direction of the wheel turns.
When the car turns, the direction of the frictional force now act opposite to the direction of the wheel turns!

I'm sure if you rotate the steering wheel to a certain angle and don't move the wheel. Then when you step on the gas pedal afterwards the car will move in a near prefect circle
Now I need to find out a problem: Frictional force makes a car to accelerate or accelerate in other direction?
 
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Please, see:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_of_forces

https://www.formula1-dictionary.net/traction_circle.html

The car naturally wants to move on a straight line and at constant speed.
Forward or rearward forces in the contact patches of the driving tires modify that constant speed.
Lateral forces in the contact patches of the steering tires modify that natural straight trajectory.
For driving-steering tires, you have a net force compounded by longitudinal and lateral forces, which induce a net acceleration of the car’s mass in the same direction of the net force.
 
Assuming there is no skidding or "squealing" of tires the frictional forces of the road on the tire are static friction and are not directly related to any velocity or direction thereof.
 
James Brown said:
From what I know, frictional force is acting along to the direction of the wheel turns.
The opposite is the case (at least until one presses on the brakes or on the accelerator). A freely rolling wheel only experiences lateral friction. The fore-and-aft component is eliminated when an ideal wheel is free to roll.

That is rather the point of putting rocks into wheeled carts rather than piling them on sledges.
 
James Brown said:
How is it possible that friction makes car turn?
It's called science friction!
 
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PeroK said:
It's called science friction!
Be serious can you?
 
James Brown said:
Be serious can you?
LOL. Did you read the links in the serious reply #2 by @Lnewqban ? If not, why not? If so, what part did you not understand?
 
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James Brown said:
Be serious can you?
You were given serious responses and did not reply to them so perhaps a little humor was called for. If you can't take a joke, you're in for a dull life.
 
Last edited:
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phinds said:
You were given serious responses and did not reply to them so perhaps a little humor was called for. If you can't take a joke, you're in for a dull life.
Ahh OK then I got nothing to say
 
  • #10
James Brown said:
Ahh OK then I got nothing to say
Okay, then I'll go ahead and close off this thread for now. I know you are in high school and wanting to learn, which is a good thing. Please read through the links given above in post #2, and if you have questions about that reading, let me know and I can re-open this thread. Thanks.
 
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  • #11
Update -- In a PM conversation, the OP doesn't seem to understand why it's important to read the recommended references in reply #2. OP is on a 10-day vacation to try to underdstand that.
 
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