Question

A car sometimes overturns while taking a turn. When it overturns, it is

• A. The inner wheel which leaves the ground first
• B. The outer wheel which leaves the ground first
• C. Both the wheels leaves the ground simultaneously
• D. Either wheel which leaves the ground first

Answer 1

The correct option is A The inner wheel which leaves the ground first

While turning the maximum allowed speed is:

$V_{max}=\sqrt{\mu rg}$

where,

$\mu$ is coefficient of friction,

$r$ is radius of the turn and

$g$ acceleration due to gravity.

For the inner wheel the radius of the turn is less than the outer wheel and therefore its maximum speed is also less than for the outer wheel. Thus the inner wheel leaves the ground first.