Question

A car weighs `1800 kg`. The distance between its front and back axles is `1.8 m`. Its centre of gravity is `1.05 m` behind the front axle. Determine the force exerted by the level ground on each front wheel and each back wheel.

Answer 1

Let `F_(1) " and " F_(2)` be the forces exerted by the level ground on front wheels and back wheels respectively. Considering rotational equilibrium about the front wheels, `F_(2) xx1.8= mgxx1.05 " or " F_(2)=1.05//1.8xx1800xx9.8 N=10290 N` Force on each back wheel is `10290//2` N or 5145 N.
Considering rotational equilibrium about the back wheels.
`F_(1)xx1.8=mg(1.8-1.05)=0.75xx1800xx9.8 " or " F_(1)=0.75xx1800xx9.8//1.8=7350 N`
Force on each front wheel is `7350//2 N` or 3675 N.