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

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The phenomenon of a car's left wheels lifting during a sharp left turn is primarily due to the torque generated by the difference in forces acting on the vehicle. When the car turns left, the right wheels experience greater angular velocity, leading to a greater pseudo force on them compared to the left wheels. This imbalance, combined with the effects of gravity and centrifugal force, results in a torque that causes the car to lurch towards the right. Understanding these forces, particularly the role of torque and the height at which they act, is essential for a comprehensive explanation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with concepts of torque and angular velocity
  • Knowledge of centrifugal force and its effects on moving objects
  • Understanding of forces acting on vehicles during motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of torque in physics, focusing on its application in vehicle dynamics
  • Learn about the effects of centrifugal force on vehicles during turns
  • Explore the relationship between angular velocity and linear velocity in circular motion
  • Investigate the role of friction in providing centripetal force during vehicle maneuvers
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, automotive engineers, and anyone interested in understanding vehicle dynamics during sharp turns.

Kavya Chopra
Messages
31
Reaction score
2

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?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No. It is a matter of torque in the car frame.
 
How so?
 
Consider the torque around the outer wheel. There are three forces contributing, gravity, the centrifugal force, and the normal force from the inner wheel.
 
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.
 
Kavya Chopra said:
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.
Kavya Chopra said:
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.
Kavya Chopra said:
Can't we use basic centrifugal force for this?
Yes, but in conjunction with considering torque. As Orodruin posted, that is crucial.
 
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).
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
6K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
23K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K