(Solved) In what direction does the friction force between ground and wheels act on a car moving forward?

Dat Ass

wrote...

Go to Answer

Posts: 21

Rep:

11 years ago

In what direction does the friction force between ground and wheels act on a car moving forward?

I haven't been able to get a consistent answer on this.

My teacher says that the friction force between the ground and the wheels would have to be acting AGAINST the motion of the car, as friction always acts opposite the direction of motion.

I say that the friction force has to be acting WITH the motion of the car, because the friction force is the only force within the system capable of causing forward acceleration (aside from gravity and outside influences such as a person pushing from behind, ect.)

Who is right here?

Read 376 times

4 Replies

Report

Replies

tonki

wrote...

11 years ago

"because the friction force is the only force within the system capable of causing forward acceleration"
Who's talking about forward acceleration here? There's only forward momentum here.

It has to be acting against the motion of the car.

Report

smoran1

wrote...

11 years ago

For each action there is an equal and opposite reaction, so the friction force would be opposite the direction of the car moving

Report

Answer accepted by topic starter

Nursey86

wrote...

Posts: 18

Rep:

11 years ago

This verified answer contains over 350 words.

Report

Related Topics

tono

wrote...

11 years ago

My initial thought was that you are correct because the friction force isn't acting against the motion of the car, it is acting with it or enhancing it.
BUT after thinking about it, I'm inclined to think that your teacher is right because let's suppose the surface was oiled (thus reducing the friction force between the car wheels & the road surface)... the car would travel quicker, wouldn't it? This makes me conclude that the friction force of the wheels is acting against the direction of motion as your teacher says.

Report

New Topic

Home Search Q & A Board Gallery Resource Library Blog Dictionary Chat	Quick Links Start a Topic Latest Topics Unanswered Questions Courses Study Tools Browse by Textbook	Social Facebook YouTube Community Stats Who's Online Trending Staff	Help About Us Take the Tour Study Tips Posting Guidelines Terms and Policies Contact Us
Biology Forums - Study Force © 2010-2024 \| Powered by SMF \| SMF © 2015, Simple Machines \| Sitemap Biology-Forums.com is not affiliated with any publisher. Book covers, title and author names appear for reference only.