how come wind can push my heavy box-shaped car around when I’m driving 60mph, but it can’t do it when the car is standing still?

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Although I have a heavy box-shaped car, I was thinking about the Mercedes G63 specifically. That is a powerful engine on a non-aerodynamic car, what happens if you take it over 100mph and get hit by a gust of 60mph wind? My car gets literally pushed around lanes during heavy winds at highway speeds, has anyone ever even gotten a G63 past 150mph?

In: Physics

25 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

well little boy, maybe this will help

imagine when youre standing still and both feet are planted shoulder width apart, your friend pushes slightly but you are able to resist without having to take a step sideways to stay standing.

now imagine youre running and for simplicity sake, we imagine only one foot on the ground at a time, now the same friend is running alongside you. if he pushes you with the same force as before, your foot which is in the air is coming down (initially going straight forward) now shifts a teeny bit in the direction your friend shoved you. and if your friend keeps the shove constant, your next step and so on will keep going into the direction being pushed.

now imagine the tyre having thousands of smaaaaaaall lil tiny feet, and only one touches the ground at one time. viola the wind gets you swerving when moving but doesnt move you when stationary.

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