What is the effect of centripetal force on velocity?

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Centripetal force is essential for a car to navigate a curve, causing a change in velocity due to the alteration in direction, even if speed remains constant. The discussion highlights the distinction between speed and velocity, emphasizing that velocity includes both speed and direction. A constant forward force can lead to a sideways force when turning, which is crucial for maintaining the car's trajectory. The conversation also touches on the effects of external forces, like wind, and the necessity of steering adjustments to counteract these forces. Understanding these dynamics is vital for grasping how centripetal force influences a vehicle's motion.
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  • #62
sophiecentaur said:
I don't think that's right because the direction in which the 'footprint' points is not in the plane of the wheel. The process of compressing the front of the footprint and releasing it at the back involves hysteresis and the forces (torques) do not cancel. This will produce a torque which 'fights' against the applied torque on the steering wheel.
Be careful. The steering wheel does not apply any propulsive torque, that's the engine's job. The torque that the steering wheel fights is due to the rearward offset of the contact patch from the steering axis, i.e. caster.
 
  • #63
rcgldr said:
This would be complicated. It's a combination of factors, cornering load, deformation of the tires due to a lateral load, and the hysteresis factor of the tire compound.

Can we simplify things by considering free floating bodies orbiting a central point? E.g. the planets, but with equal sized objects.

Would those nearer the centre (on a path of higher curvature) move at a slower speed?
 
  • #64
rcgldr said:
This would be complicated. It's a combination of factors, cornering load, deformation of the tires due to a lateral load, and the hysteresis factor of the tire compound.

Rupert Young said:
Can we simplify things by considering free floating bodies orbiting a central point? E.g. the planets, but with equal sized objects. Would those nearer the centre (on a path of higher curvature) move at a slower speed?

The loss in speed is due to tires consuming energy (conversion into heat). The amount of energy consumed by tires is increased when cornering. In a scenario where there are no energy losses, then cornering would not reduce speed (this is a self fulfilling statement, no energy lost means that kinetic energy and the related speed don't change).
 
  • #65

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