Tyres of a car lifting when turning left sharply....

[Kavya Chopra]

Homework Statement

Why do the left wheels of a car rise when it takes a sharp left turn (that is it lurches towards the right)?

Homework Equations

$$a_c= V^2/R$$

The Attempt at a Solution

I started by imagining the car as being a part of a very large ring, dx.
Since it's taking a left turn, velocity of right wheels are greater than that of left wheels, but being a ring, their angular velocity is the same.
After some calculations, I find that pseudo force on right wheels is greater than that on the left wheels.
Is that why it lurches towards the right?

 

[Orodruin]

No. It is a matter of torque in the car frame.

 

[Kavya Chopra]

How so?

 

[Orodruin]

Consider the torque around the outer wheel. There are three forces contributing, gravity, the centrifugal force, and the normal force from the inner wheel.

 

[Kavya Chopra]

Can't we use basic centrifugal force for this? My professor told me to think along these lines (we haven't done torque yet) and I just believe that I over complicated my explanation a bit, and that a centrifugal force is pushing the car outside.

 

[haruspex]

velocity of right wheels are greater than that of left wheels, but being a ring, their angular velocity is the same.

They have the same radius. If the linear velocity is greater the angular velocity must be too. But this is not relevant to the question.

pseudo force on right wheels is greater than that on the left wheels.

That is not relevant either. It would just create some lateral tension within the vehicle.

Can't we use basic centrifugal force for this?

Yes, but in conjunction with considering torque. As Orodruin posted, that is crucial.

 

[CWatters]

Consider the height at which inertia acts (aka centrifugal force) and the height at which friction (which provides centripetal force) acts. The difference creates a torque. Make a drawing.

PS These aren't the only forces acting on the car (eg gravity).