MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Subject: If friction is independent of surface area, wide tires should not matter?

Date: Wed Nov 1 19:04:50 2000
Posted by Pio Advincula
Grade level: grad (science) School: No school entered.
City: Chino Hills State/Province: California Country: USA
Area of science: Physics
ID: 973123490.Ph
Message:

There was a similar question already answered and I qoute "If friction 
forces don't vary with surf. area, why are race car tires wide?". The 
answer given was based on automotive engineering. However if we limit the 
question to just a matter of static friction, would the statement; 
'friction is indpendent of surface area' still hold true? Picture two cars 
with similar weights, one on regular tires and one on bicycle tires on a 
smooth surface (say glass). Would the force (to counteract static friction) 
needed to make them slide (no rolling) be equal? If this is true then wider 
tires don't make a difference if we are talking only of the static friction 
they generate? How do you reconcile this with intuition that says the wider 
tires give you more 'grip'?  


Re: If friction is independent of surface area, wide tires should not matter?

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