Explain why the stability of a car can be improved by widening the wheel base and lowering the centre of gravity.
A car will topple over when it is tilted so far that the line of action from the centre of gravity falls outside of the wheel base, causing a resultant moment around the side being tilted. Extending the base and lowering the centre of gravity increases the angle through which the car can be tilted before this happens. (Would then use learning space to draw diagrams of right-triangles showing why this is so)
TH
Related Physics GCSE answers
All answers ▸What is the difference between A.C. and D.C.?
How do I remember all the formulas I will need for questions.
A car accelerates (at a constant acceleration) from a velocity of 25m/s to 34m/s in 6s. Calculate the cars acceleration.
Two cars are crash tested. Car A has a crumple zone, B doesn't. Both cars have mass 1500kg and a driver of mass 80kg and crash at 20m/s. Cars A and B take 0.8 and 0.2 seconds to stop respectively. Using this information, are crumple zones a necessity? (6)