Questions: When a car goes around a curve, it has a tendency to skid outwards. Is the frictional force between the tires and the ground that keeps the car from skidding kinetic or static?

When a car goes around a curve, it has a tendency to skid outwards. Is the frictional force between the tires and the ground that keeps the car from skidding kinetic or static?

Transcript text: When a car goes around a curve, it has a tendency to skid outwards. Is the frictional force between the tires and the ground that keeps the car from skidding kinetic or static?

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Understanding the Forces Involved

When a car goes around a curve, it experiences a centripetal force that keeps it moving in a circular path. This force is directed towards the center of the curve. The frictional force between the tires and the ground provides this necessary centripetal force.

Step 2: Identifying the Type of Friction

Friction can be either static or kinetic. Static friction acts when there is no relative motion between the surfaces in contact, while kinetic friction acts when there is relative motion. In the case of a car going around a curve without skidding, the tires are not sliding across the road surface; they are rolling. This means there is no relative motion between the contact patch of the tire and the road.

Step 3: Conclusion on the Type of Friction

Since the tires are not sliding but rather rolling without slipping, the frictional force that prevents the car from skidding is static friction. Static friction is what allows the tires to grip the road and provide the necessary centripetal force to navigate the curve.