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

One factor is dynamic vs static friction. Remember, friction happens due to microscopic little imperfections, bumps and spikes at the molecular level. Everything has these little bumps and jagged edges, even if it feels smooth – we are talking molecules here. When you’re still, the tiny little bumps in the tyre are all settled into the tiny little bumps in the road. Getting them to move means getting them out of the tiny little spots which they’ve settled into – which is hard. When you’re already moving, though, the bumps aren’t settled – so it’s easier. As a result, friction does more to keep you still than it does to prevent your movement changing.

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