Rotational motion of rear wheels

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves analyzing the distribution of weight on a car's rear wheels when the front wheels are elevated. It relates to concepts in rotational motion and statics, particularly focusing on how weight distribution changes with the car's orientation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the interpretation of the problem, particularly the implications of raising the front wheels and how that affects weight distribution. Questions arise regarding the significance of free-body diagrams and the forces acting on the car.

Discussion Status

Some participants are exploring the relationship between the weight vector and the wheel positions, while others are seeking clarification on the forces involved. There is acknowledgment of the need to understand the normal forces and horizontal surface forces acting on the wheels.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem is set within the context of statics and that not all forces act through the center of mass, which may influence the analysis.

TeeNaa
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
A 1500 kg car is driven onto a pair of ramps so that it fronts wheels have been raised 0.3 m above the rear wheels. The wheel base of the car is 2.4m and it center of gravity is located at the midpoint between the front and rear wheels. How much of the car's weight is supported by the rear wheels? - The problem I'm having in this question is interpreting what the question is asking for. I just need on on setting up the problem as on what I should find first. Thanks

This is what I drew but I have no idea what to use to solve with these given information.
2Oo2Bn4.jpg
 
Physics news on Phys.org
When the car is level, it's weight is distributed evenly between the front and rear wheels, but when the front is lifted higher, more weight gets pushed onto the back than the front. Can you see why?

What has happened to the weight vector, compared with the wheel positions, to make that happen?

If you draw a free-body diagram of the situation - you get two normal forces: one from the front wheels and one from the back wheels. You also get horizontal surface forces at each wheel-set.
 
@Simon, thank you for the reply.
For the first question, yes I can see why the weight would be pushed back. For the second question, I don't know what that really mean. I understand why there is two normal force because of the wheel set but I do not understand the horizontal surface forces part. What would I have to find first in this case? Thanks again.
 
The question involves a free body diagram where not all the forces act through the center of mass.
Other than that, it is still statics.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
67
Views
5K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
24
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K