• Question: if you go to fast in a car will the friction burn the tyres ?

    Asked by kikijoe to Angela, Claire, Ian, Robert, Sarah on 19 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Angela Stokes

      Angela Stokes answered on 19 Nov 2014:

      Friction is created when two surfaces rub together; for example, when a car tyre moves over the road surface. Friction can create heat and smoke can often be seen coming from the tyres of racing cars. The friction between the road surface and the tyre causes the tread in the tyre to wear down. So not exactly friction burns, unless you consider the tyre surface to be akin to skin.

    • Photo: Sarah Harris

      Sarah Harris answered on 19 Nov 2014:

      Hi Kikijoe,

      I’ve had a look into this (forces isn’t my strong suit) and usually not. Tyres are developed not to burn due of friction, although they do get worn down. There’s a specific tactic in car racing called “burnout” in which the friction is so great it causes the tyres to heat up and smoke, but I’m afraid you’d have to look elsewhere for more detailed information!

    • Photo: Robert Bowles

      Robert Bowles answered on 19 Nov 2014:

      It depends on the tyres kikijoe. A team of britsish scietists and engineers are building a car to go supersonic, or faster than the speed of sound, or 1000mph!
      Here’s some info on some of the forces the car (and driver!) will be exposed to:
      http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/forces

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