Why does the rotation of a wheel on a car force the car to move? I was told it was due to the wheel ‘pushing the ground and propelling the car,’ but this seems a little basic.

Question

I know it seems stupid but I can’t grasp the Physics behind it.

Thanks.

In: Physics

Answer 1

That’s it basically.

Indeed, if there was no friction between the wheel and the road, the wheel would just spin.

The friction creates a force from the wheel to the ground, and in reaction the opposite form from the ground to the wheel, and this force, which applies to the car, results in the car going forward. Energy dissipation caused by the friction would result in the car stopping quickly, but as the engine keeps providing energy and causing the wheels to rotate, the movement keeps going.