Why the wheel can rotate?

irenewmz | 12:18 Tue 11th Aug 2009 | Science

4 Answers

May I know why the wheel can rotate but not skid?

science, electricity

oh but the camera adds 10lbs.............................

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ChuckFickens

Eh, what?

jake-the-peg

A wheel rotates because there is enough friction between it and the ground and not too much friction in the bearing on which it turns.

If there is too much friction in the bearing or not enough between it and the ground it will skid

wildwood

Not exactly what you asked but maybe relative....

The round shape of the wheel has the least resistance to the rolling motion on the ground. If you were to cut pieces off the outside so there are 32 flat surfaces rolling on the ground it would still roll, but not as good as if it were round. 16 sided would still roll but less efficient. 8 gets more difficult and with 4 sides it takes super power to rotate the wheel.

So the round shape is ergonomically the most economical way to roll the wheel.