Question

A car weighs 1800 kg.The distance between its front and back axles is 1.8 m. Its centre of gravity is 1.05 m behind the front axle. Determine the force exerted by the level ground on each front wheel and each back wheel.

Answer 1

Solution :

Given,

Mass of car, m = 1800 kg

Distance between front and back axle = 1.05 m.

Now,

Let Rb be the forces exerted by the level ground on the back wheels.

Let Rf be the forces exerted by the level ground on the front wheels.

For translational equilibrium :

Rf + Rb = mg = 17640 N -------------------(1)

For rotational equilibrium :

Rf ( 1.05 ) = Rb ( 1.8 - 1.05 )

=> Rb = 1.4 Rf --------------------(2)

.°. The force exerted on each front wheel = 7350 / 2 = 3675 N

.°. The force exerted on each back wheel = 10290 / 2 = 5145 N