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Skidding Of Vehicle On A Level Road

Skidding Of Vehicle On A Level Road

Edited By Vishal kumar | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 07:42 PM IST

Skidding of a vehicle on a level road is a phenomenon that most drivers experience, often leading to sudden loss of control and potential accidents. It occurs when the tyres lose their grip on the road surface, causing the vehicle to slide uncontrollably. This can happen due to various factors such as wet or icy roads, sudden braking, or sharp turns. In real life, skidding is a common cause of accidents, particularly during adverse weather conditions. For instance, imagine driving on a rainy day when the road is slick—if you brake abruptly or turn too quickly, the vehicle may skid, making it difficult to steer and stop, leading to dangerous situations. Understanding the mechanics of skidding is crucial for drivers to avoid accidents and maintain control, especially in challenging driving conditions.

This Story also Contains
  1. Skidding of Vehicle on a Level Road
  2. Recommended Topic VideoSolved Examples Based on Skidding of Vehicles on a Level Road
  3. Summary
Skidding Of Vehicle On A Level Road
Skidding Of Vehicle On A Level Road

Skidding of Vehicle on a Level Road

Skidding a vehicle on a level road is a critical issue that every driver should be aware of, as it directly impacts safety on the road. Skidding occurs when the tyres lose their traction with the road surface, leading to a loss of control. This can be triggered by factors such as sudden braking, sharp turns, or poor road conditions like rain, ice, or oil spills. In everyday life, this is a common scenario, especially during adverse weather conditions when roads become slippery. For example, driving on a wet road after a rainstorm can easily lead to skidding if proper caution isn't exercised. Understanding the causes and prevention of skidding is essential for ensuring safety and avoiding potential accidents on the road.

$\begin{aligned} & \text { Frictional force } \geq \text { Req. centripetal Force } \\ & \mu m g \geq \frac{m v^2}{r} \\ & V_{\text {safe }} \leq \sqrt{\mu r g} \\ & V_{\text {safe }}=\text { Safe vector move } \\ & \mathrm{r}=\text { radius of the curve } \\ & \mu=\text { coefficient of friction } \\ & V_{\text {safe }} \text { is the maximum velocity by which a vehicle can turn on a circular path of radius } \mathrm{r} \text {. }\end{aligned}$

Recommended Topic VideoSolved Examples Based on Skidding of Vehicles on a Level Road

Example 1: The coefficient of friction between tyers and road is 0.5. The maximum speed (in m/s) with which a car be driven around a curve with a radius of 20m without skidding is [ g = 10m/s2]

1) 10

2) 40

3) 15

4) 20

Solution:

Skidding of Vehicle on a Level Road

$\begin{aligned} & \text { Frictional force } \geq \text { Req. centripetal Force } \\ & \mu m g \geq \frac{m v^2}{r} \\ & V_{\text {safe }} \leq \sqrt{\mu r g} \\ & V_{\text {safe }}=\text { Safe vector move } \\ & \mathrm{r}=\text { radius of the curve } \\ & \mu=\text { coefficient of friction }\end{aligned}$

$V_{\text {safe }}$ is the maximum velocity by which a vehicle can turn on a circular path of radius r.

So,

$\begin{aligned} & \mu m g=\frac{m v_{\max }^2}{r} \\ & v_{\max }=\sqrt{\mu r g}=\sqrt{0.5 \times 20 \times 10}=10 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\end{aligned}$

Hence, the answer is the option (1).

Example 2: A modern Grand - Prix racing car of mass m is travelling on a flat track in a circular arc of radius R with a speed v. If the coefficient of static friction between the tyres and the track is $\mu_s$, then the magnitude of negative lift $F_L$ acting downwards on the car is : (Assume forces on the four tyres are identical and g = acceleration due to gravity)

1) $-m\left(g+\frac{v^2}{\mu_s R}\right)$
2) $m\left(g-\frac{v^2}{\mu_s R}\right)$
3) $m\left(\frac{v^2}{\mu_s R}-g\right)$
4) $m\left(\frac{v^2}{\mu_s R}+g\right)$

Solution:

$\begin{aligned} & \mu_{\mathrm{s}} \mathrm{N}=\frac{\mathrm{mv}^2}{\mathrm{R}} \\ & \mathrm{N}=\frac{\mathrm{mv}^2}{\mu_{\mathrm{s}} \mathrm{R}}=\mathrm{mg}+\mathrm{F}_{\mathrm{L}} \\ & \mathrm{F}_{\mathrm{L}}=\frac{\mathrm{mv}^2}{\mu_{\mathrm{s}} \mathrm{R}}-\mathrm{mg}\end{aligned}$

Hence, the answer is the option (3).

Example 3: The maximum velocity (in ms-1) with which a car driver must traverse a flat curve of radius 150 m and coefficient of friction 0.6 to avoid skidding is

1) 30

2) 60

3) 15

4) 25

Solution:

Skidding of Vehicle on a Level Road

Frictional force $\geq$ Req. centripetal Force
$\mu m g \geq \frac{m v^2}{r}$
$V_{\text {safe }} \leq \sqrt{\mu r g}$
$V_{\text {safe }}=_{\text {Safe vector move }}$
$r=$ radius of curve
$\mu=$ coefficient of friction
wherein
$V_{\text {safe }}$ is the maximum velocity by which a vehicle can turn on a circular path of radius r .
For no skidding along the curved track,

$
\nu=\sqrt{0.6 \times 150 \times 10}=30 \mathrm{~ms}^{-1}
$

Hence, the answer is the option (1).

Example 4: A curve in a level road has a radius of 75 m. The maximum speed of a car turning this curved road can be 30 m/s without skidding. If the radius of the curved road is changed to 48 m and the coefficient of friction between the tyres and the road remains the same, then the maximum allowed speed would be ___________m/s.

1) 24

2) 25

3) 26

4) 27

Solution:

For level road,

$\begin{aligned} & \mathrm{f}_{\mathrm{smax}}=\frac{\mathrm{mv}^2}{\mathrm{R}} \\ & \mu \mathrm{mg}=\frac{\mathrm{mv}^2}{\mathrm{R}} \\ & \mathrm{v}=\sqrt{\mu \mathrm{Rg}} \\ & \frac{\mathrm{v}_2}{\mathrm{v}_1}=\sqrt{\frac{\mathrm{R}_2}{\mathrm{R}_1}} \\ & \frac{\mathrm{v}_2}{30}=\sqrt{\frac{48}{75}} \\ & \mathrm{v}_2=24 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\end{aligned}$

Hence, the answer is the option (1).

Example 5: A car is moving on a horizontally curved road with a radius of 50 m. The approximate maximum speed of the car will be if friction between the tyres and the road is 0.34.

[take g = 10 ms−2]

1) 17 ms–1

2) 13 ms–1

3) 22.4 ms–1

4) 3.4 ms–1

Solution:

$\begin{aligned} & \mu=0.34, \mathrm{R}=50 \mathrm{~m} \\ & \mathrm{~V}=\sqrt{\mu \mathrm{Rg}}=\sqrt{0.34 \times 50 \times 10}=\sqrt{34 \times 5}=\sqrt{170}=13\end{aligned}$

Hence, the answer is the option (2).

Summary

Skidding on a level road occurs when a vehicle's tyres lose traction, often due to factors like sudden braking, sharp turns, or slippery surfaces. The maximum safe speed to avoid skidding can be determined using the formula $V_{\text {safe }} \leq \sqrt{\mu r g}$ where $\mu$ is the coefficient of friction, r is the radius of the curve, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Understanding this relationship helps in calculating the safe speed to navigate curves without skidding, ensuring safer driving conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What causes a vehicle to skid on a level road?
A vehicle skids when the frictional force between the tires and the road surface is insufficient to maintain the vehicle's intended path. This can occur due to excessive speed, sudden braking, or slippery road conditions.
2. How does the coefficient of friction affect skidding?
The coefficient of friction determines the maximum frictional force between the tires and the road. A higher coefficient of friction reduces the likelihood of skidding, while a lower coefficient increases the risk.
3. Why do vehicles skid more easily on wet roads?
Wet roads have a lower coefficient of friction than dry roads. Water acts as a lubricant, reducing the contact between the tire and the road surface, thus decreasing the available frictional force.
4. What role does inertia play in vehicle skidding?
Inertia is the resistance of an object to change in its state of motion. When a vehicle skids, its inertia tends to keep it moving in its original direction, making it difficult to regain control.
5. How does the mass of a vehicle affect its likelihood to skid?
A vehicle's mass doesn't directly affect its likelihood to skid. The normal force increases proportionally with mass, keeping the frictional force constant relative to the vehicle's weight. However, a heavier vehicle has more inertia, making it harder to stop or change direction once skidding begins.
6. How does road banking affect a vehicle's tendency to skid on curves?
Road banking, or superelevation, tilts the road surface inward on curves. This creates an inward component of the normal force, reducing the frictional force required to provide centripetal acceleration and decreasing the likelihood of skidding.
7. What is the significance of the angle of repose in understanding skidding?
The angle of repose is the maximum angle at which an object can rest on an inclined surface without sliding. While not directly applicable to level roads, understanding this concept helps in grasping the relationship between normal force, weight, and friction in preventing motion.
8. What is the relationship between centripetal force and skidding on curves?
Centripetal force is necessary to keep a vehicle moving in a circular path on a curve. If the required centripetal force exceeds the available frictional force, the vehicle will skid outward from the curve.
9. How does tire tread design influence skidding?
Tire tread design affects the tire's ability to grip the road surface. Good tread patterns channel water away, increasing contact with the road and reducing the risk of hydroplaning and skidding.
10. What is the difference between static and kinetic friction in the context of skidding?
Static friction prevents a stationary object from moving, while kinetic friction acts on a moving object. In skidding, static friction keeps the tire gripping the road, but once skidding begins, kinetic friction (which is usually lower) takes over.
11. How does the distribution of weight in a vehicle affect its skidding behavior?
Weight distribution affects the normal force on each tire. Uneven weight distribution can cause some tires to lose traction more easily, potentially leading to skidding or spinouts.
12. What is the role of Newton's First Law in understanding vehicle skids?
Newton's First Law states that an object in motion tends to stay in motion unless acted upon by an external force. In a skid, the vehicle continues in its original direction of motion due to inertia, even when the driver attempts to change direction.
13. How does the speed of a vehicle influence its likelihood to skid?
Higher speeds increase the likelihood of skidding because they require greater frictional forces to maintain control. The centripetal force needed to navigate curves also increases with speed, making high-speed turns more prone to skidding.
14. What is hydroplaning and how does it relate to skidding?
Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds up between the tires and the road surface, causing the vehicle to lose contact with the road. This results in a complete loss of traction, leading to skidding.
15. How do anti-lock braking systems (ABS) help prevent skidding?
ABS prevents wheel lock-up during hard braking by rapidly applying and releasing brake pressure. This allows the wheels to maintain some rotation and traction, reducing the likelihood of skidding and allowing the driver to maintain steering control.
16. What is the concept of critical speed in relation to skidding?
Critical speed is the maximum speed at which a vehicle can navigate a curve without skidding. It depends on the radius of the curve, the coefficient of friction, and the banking angle of the road.
17. What is the difference between understeer and oversteer in terms of skidding?
Understeer occurs when the front wheels lose traction first, causing the vehicle to continue straight instead of turning. Oversteer happens when the rear wheels lose traction first, causing the rear of the vehicle to swing outward.
18. How does the center of gravity of a vehicle influence its skidding behavior?
A higher center of gravity increases the likelihood of rollover during skidding, especially in turns. Vehicles with a lower center of gravity are generally more stable and less prone to tipping during a skid.
19. What is the role of tire pressure in preventing skids?
Proper tire pressure ensures optimal contact between the tire and the road surface. Underinflated tires can reduce traction and increase the risk of skidding, while overinflated tires can reduce the contact area and also increase skid risk.
20. How does the suspension system of a vehicle affect its skidding characteristics?
The suspension system influences weight transfer during acceleration, braking, and cornering. A well-designed suspension helps maintain even weight distribution across all tires, reducing the likelihood of individual wheels losing traction and causing a skid.
21. What is the relationship between impulse and skidding?
Impulse is the product of force and time. In the context of skidding, a larger impulse (such as from sudden braking) is more likely to overcome the frictional force and cause a skid than a smaller impulse applied over a longer time.
22. How does the concept of work-energy theorem apply to a skidding vehicle?
The work-energy theorem states that the work done on an object equals its change in kinetic energy. In a skidding vehicle, the work done by friction reduces the vehicle's kinetic energy, eventually bringing it to a stop.
23. How does the principle of conservation of momentum apply to collisions involving skidding vehicles?
In collisions involving skidding vehicles, the total momentum of the system is conserved. However, the direction of motion after the collision may be influenced by the skidding motion, complicating the analysis of the collision.
24. What is the role of rotational inertia in vehicle skidding?
Rotational inertia affects a vehicle's resistance to changes in its rotational motion. During a skid, the rotational inertia of the wheels can influence the vehicle's behavior, particularly in cases of spinouts or when regaining control.
25. How does the concept of friction circle relate to vehicle skidding?
The friction circle represents the maximum combined longitudinal and lateral friction forces a tire can produce. When the required force exceeds the limits of this circle, such as during hard braking while turning, skidding occurs.
26. What is the significance of the coefficient of restitution in collisions involving skidding vehicles?
The coefficient of restitution describes the elasticity of a collision. In skidding collisions, it can affect the post-collision behavior of the vehicles, influencing factors such as the direction of motion and energy dissipation.
27. How does the principle of angular momentum conservation apply to a skidding vehicle?
While a vehicle is skidding, its angular momentum may be conserved if no external torque is applied. This can result in the vehicle continuing to rotate or spin even as it slides.
28. What is the relationship between work done by friction and the stopping distance of a skidding vehicle?
The work done by friction is equal to the change in kinetic energy of the vehicle. This relationship determines the stopping distance of a skidding vehicle, with greater friction resulting in shorter stopping distances.
29. How does the concept of impulse-momentum theorem apply to the initiation of a skid?
The impulse-momentum theorem relates the change in momentum to the impulse applied. A sudden force (impulse) that exceeds the available friction can initiate a skid by rapidly changing the vehicle's momentum.
30. What is the role of static equilibrium in preventing vehicle skidding?
Static equilibrium occurs when the sum of all forces and torques on an object is zero. For a stationary vehicle, static equilibrium prevents motion (including skidding) until an applied force overcomes the static friction.
31. How does the principle of superposition apply to forces acting on a skidding vehicle?
The principle of superposition states that the net force on an object is the vector sum of all individual forces. In a skidding vehicle, various forces (friction, gravity, air resistance) combine to determine the vehicle's motion.
32. What is the significance of the normal force in understanding skidding on a level road?
On a level road, the normal force is equal to the weight of the vehicle. This normal force determines the maximum available friction force, which is crucial in preventing or controlling skids.
33. How does the concept of mechanical advantage relate to anti-skid systems in vehicles?
Mechanical advantage in anti-skid systems allows for the application of greater braking forces with less driver input. This can help in maintaining control during potential skid situations by optimizing brake force distribution.
34. What is the relationship between power and energy in the context of a skidding vehicle?
Power is the rate of energy transfer or conversion. In a skidding vehicle, the power dissipated through friction determines how quickly the vehicle's kinetic energy is converted to heat, affecting the duration and severity of the skid.
35. How does the principle of least action apply to the path of a skidding vehicle?
The principle of least action suggests that a system follows the path of least resistance. A skidding vehicle, influenced by various forces, will follow a path that minimizes the action integral, which may not necessarily be the driver's intended path.
36. What is the role of torque in understanding the rotational motion of a skidding vehicle?
Torque causes rotational acceleration. In a skidding vehicle, uneven frictional forces on different wheels can create torques, leading to rotation or spinout of the vehicle.
37. How does the concept of virtual work apply to analyzing the forces in a skidding situation?
The principle of virtual work can be used to analyze the equilibrium of forces in a complex system. In a skidding scenario, it can help in understanding the balance of forces that determine the vehicle's motion.
38. What is the significance of the moment of inertia in the rotational behavior of a skidding vehicle?
The moment of inertia represents an object's resistance to rotational acceleration. In a skidding vehicle, it affects how easily the vehicle can spin or change its orientation during the skid.
39. How does the concept of damping relate to the control systems designed to prevent skidding?
Damping in control systems helps to reduce oscillations and stabilize motion. In anti-skid systems, damping is crucial for preventing overcorrection and maintaining stable vehicle control.
40. What is the relationship between friction and heat generation during a skid?
Friction converts kinetic energy into heat energy during a skid. This heat generation can affect tire properties and road surface conditions, potentially exacerbating the skidding situation.
41. How does the principle of equipartition of energy apply to the various energy transformations during a skid?
While not strictly applicable in this macroscopic scenario, the concept of equipartition can be used to understand how energy is distributed among various forms (kinetic, thermal, sound) during a skid.
42. What is the role of the radius of curvature in determining the likelihood of skidding on a curved road?
The radius of curvature affects the centripetal acceleration required to navigate the turn. A smaller radius of curvature requires a larger centripetal force, increasing the likelihood of skidding if the available friction is insufficient.
43. How does the concept of phase space apply to analyzing the dynamics of a skidding vehicle?
Phase space represents all possible states of a system. For a skidding vehicle, phase space analysis can help in understanding the range of possible motions and outcomes based on initial conditions and applied forces.
44. What is the significance of the coefficient of rolling resistance in vehicle skidding?
The coefficient of rolling resistance affects the force required to keep a vehicle moving. While less significant than sliding friction during a skid, it can influence the vehicle's behavior as it transitions in and out of a skidding state.
45. How does the principle of D'Alembert relate to the analysis of forces in a skidding vehicle?
D'Alembert's principle allows the equations of motion for a system to be written as equilibrium equations. This can be useful in analyzing the complex force interactions in a skidding vehicle, including fictitious forces in rotating reference frames.
46. What is the role of the center of percussion in understanding the rotational behavior of a skidding vehicle?
The center of percussion is the point where an impulse creates pure rotation without translation. In a skidding vehicle, understanding this concept can help in analyzing the vehicle's tendency to rotate during a skid.
47. How does the concept of degrees of freedom apply to modeling the motion of a skidding vehicle?
Degrees of freedom represent the number of independent parameters needed to describe a system's state. A skidding vehicle on a level road typically has three degrees of freedom: two for position on the plane and one for orientation.
48. What is the significance of the slip angle in understanding vehicle skidding?
The slip angle is the angle between a wheel's actual direction of travel and the direction it's pointing. Large slip angles often indicate the onset of skidding and are crucial in vehicle dynamics analysis.
49. How does the principle of virtual displacement apply to analyzing the stability of a vehicle against skidding?
Virtual displacement analysis can be used to determine the conditions under which a vehicle remains stable. By considering small, virtual movements, one can analyze the forces that tend to restore or further destabilize the vehicle's motion.
50. What is the relationship between the yaw rate and the likelihood of vehicle skidding?
Yaw rate is the angular velocity of a vehicle about its vertical axis. High yaw rates can indicate a loss of directional stability and are often associated with the onset of skidding, particularly in situations involving oversteer or understeer.

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