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Why does your car plow and spin when it turns? What is the physics behind this?
During the driving process, whether it is daily travel or high-intensity racing competition, the vehicle's driving performance has always been a widely discussed topic. Especially when turning, many drivers will feel the "push" and "loose" phenomenon. These corresponding dynamic terms describe the vehicle's response to various steering angles and lateral acceleration. What are the physical principles behind them?
Push and release are very important concepts in vehicle dynamics, which directly affect driving stability and safety.
What is Push and Release?
In vehicle terminology, "push" means that when the vehicle turns, the front wheels lose grip earlier than the rear wheels, which causes the vehicle to fail to properly follow the driver's steering path and form a larger radius of travel. In other words, there will be a feeling of being "pushed" outward from the front of the vehicle. "Loose" means that the rear wheels of the vehicle lose grip before the front wheels, and the rear end of the vehicle is thrown outward with momentum, causing the entire vehicle to shift toward the inside of the turn.
The phenomenon of push and loose is not just a driver's feeling, but also involves key issues of vehicle design and dynamic stability.
Basic principles behind physics
Understanding these phenomena requires starting from the dynamic characteristics of the vehicle. The "push" and "loose" behavior of a vehicle is closely related to many factors, including the lateral stiffness of the tires, the center of gravity, and the weight distribution of the vehicle. When a vehicle enters a turn, the friction between the wheels and the ground is the main force required to maintain the steering. However, as the lateral acceleration increases, this friction may not be able to support the required steering, coupled with the road surface conditions and tire wear. Etc., will also affect the performance of grip.
Pushing Physics
In the case of pushing, the vehicle often exhibits this phenomenon at the beginning of entering a curve. When the driver turns, if the grip of the front wheels weakens first, the vehicle will not be able to follow the inside of the curve. This not only affects the driver's control, but may also cause the vehicle to lose control. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the push phenomenon of the vehicle, especially at high speeds.
The physical mechanism of relaxation
Compared to pushing, looseness usually occurs when the rear wheels of the vehicle reach the limit of grip before the front wheels, which often results in the rear of the vehicle losing control. Especially at high speeds, sharp turns or sudden acceleration, once the rear wheels lose grip, the driver needs to make reverse adjustments by swinging the steering wheel, which requires a high level of driving skills and quick reaction ability.
Factors that influence pushing and loosening
Vehicle design characteristics, such as the location of the center of gravity, the composition of the suspension system, and the flexion of the tires, will affect the manifestation of both phenomena. During actual driving, the working condition and grip of the tires vary with speed, road friction and driving style. When these changes are accurately judged, drivers can more effectively control the dynamics of their vehicle.
How to deal with push and release?
Race car drivers and professional drivers practice to learn how to maintain control in push or loose situations. The key is to learn to identify the vehicle's reactions and make corresponding driving adjustments when necessary. For example, when you encounter a push phenomenon, you can try to lower the throttle and reduce excessive steering angles; in loose situations, you need to carefully operate the steering wheel and reverse quickly to avoid losing control.
Thinking and the future
The reason why a vehicle pushes and loosens during a turn is not solely determined by the driver's operation, but also involves complex physical operations and engineering design. How to effectively apply the latest technologies to predict and control these phenomena in daily driving and track practice will be a hot topic in future automotive engineering and driving technology. At the same time, this has also prompted us to think deeply about driving safety and vehicle design. What do you think about these issues?
