Chapter 5 Natural Laws and Car Control Gravity

Chapter 5 Natural Laws and Car Control

Gravity and Energy of Motion • Gravity –How does gravity effect our cars while driving? –Uphill? –Downhill? –Braking Distance? • Center of Gravity –What might happen to a vehicle with a high center of gravity in a curve or on a hill? • Energy of Motion (Kinetic Energy) –Dependent on Weight and Speed –What happens to energy of motion if you double the vehicle’s weight? –Doubles energy of motion, which doubles stopping distance. –What happens if you double the vehicle’s speed instead? –Quadruples the energy of motion, which requires 4 x’s the stopping distance.

Friction and Traction • Friction – What systems in our cars use friction, besides tires? • Traction – How would traction be affected in the following situations? – Gravel Road? – Fresh Snow? – Packed Snow? – Dry Pavement? – Wet Pavement? – Over-inflated Tires? – Under-inflated Tires? – Bumpy Road?

Reduced Traction • What would ideal conditions be for the best traction? • What situations might cause reduced traction? – Vehicle related situations? – Roadway situations? • How can you check your traction? – Check rear zones to make sure no traffic is near. – Brake gently to see how vehicle responds. – If vehicle doesn’t slow or ABS kick in, traction is poor so reduce you speed.

Curves • What factors affect your vehicles control in a curve? – – Speed Sharpness of Curve Banked Curve Load • What is your best choice when dealing with a curve? • SLOW DOWN!!!

Stopping Distance • Total Stopping Distance • Perception Time and Distance – What might affect perception time? • Reaction Time and Distance – What is an average human’s reaction time? • Braking Time and Distance

Factors That Affect Braking Distance • Speed • Vehicle Condition • Roadway Surface • Driver Ability • Antilock Braking System (ABS) • Hills • Loads

Force of Impact • 3 Factors determine how hard you hit something! • Speed • Weight • Distance Between Impact and Stopping

For your quiz • You should be able to: – List the four factors that affect your vehicles control in a curve – Explain how center of gravity affects the handling of your car – List and explain the three parts of total stopping distance – List the factors that affect your braking distance – List and explain the three factors involved in Force of Impact – Explain how gravity affects your vehicle on a roadway