Date: Sun, 05 Jun 2005 23:50:15 GMT
From: Bill Bradley <senator2nospamAMearthlink.net>
Subject: Re: Funny quote about the SAAB 9-3 based Cadillac BLS



Malcolm William Mason wrote:
> Where do some people get the idea that a narrow track ( or Tread) makes
> a better  snow tire?
> 
> Have they forgotten the elementary formula that friction + the
> coefficient of friction X the force(that is the mass of the car)normal
> to the surface.
> 
> It is independent of the area in contact. The bigger that area the more
> the force (mass) is spread out.

        For STATIC friction which is the case if the tire is skidding.  Since 
most of use care about ROLLING (static) friction where the coefficient 
of friction *does* depend on the normal force.

        Sorry, but you have fallen victim to the oversimplification found in 
many introductory Physics texts.

        Bill

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