F1 Tyres: Exploring the Physics Behind Their Size

[gene]

See for tyres, there arent many factors that are applied with "physics".

But i was wondering, why is formula one tyres so big. Does it produce more grip if it has a bigger area. is there anyway taht it helps to conquor cornerings? Is there any rotational dynamics(moments of inertia) applied in anyway, or there are some other reasons to it?
One more thing, can i assume that the car is able to make a good corner because the tyre produces the maximum amount of inertia preventing the car break the centripetal force?

 

[wuyh]

pressure = press/area.

the tyres distort when you exert force on it, restore when you remove your hand. In this process, some work is done to the tyre and it'll be changed to heat..

A running F1 car does this repeatly, exgerts its weight on the tyre. that's why the temperature of tyre is so high. It absorb a lot of energy and will slow down the car. when the area contact to the ground increased, pressure down then the distortion of tyre is more light. Then less energy is absorbed.

maitaining the original shape (circular), the tyre may get the best performance in running, get the highest efficency of engine.

 

[Chi Meson]

Originally posted by gene
See for tyres, there arent many factors that are applied with "physics".

Whoa. Yes there are!

But i was wondering, why is formula one tyres so big. Does it produce more grip if it has a bigger area.

Surface area does not, theoretically, affect the force of friction, but in the real world, a wider tire will compensate for traveling over a stone, some sand, or a small slippery spot (this is in addition to what "Wuyh" stated: the shape of the tire maximizes the transfer of energy)
In a perfect world, there would be no difference in friction from a skinny tire and a fat tire

One more thing, can i assume that the car is able to make a good corner because the tyre produces the maximum amount of inertia preventing the car break the centripetal force?

No, do not assume that. If you mean "moment of inertia," then no, this has nothing to do with the cornering. In fact, a greater moment of inertia of the tires would increase the angular momnetum of the tires making it more difficult to turn them. BUt this has nothing to do with the friciton in this case.

The tire's friciton is subject only to the total "down force" (from gravity, aerodynamics, and the reactive "normal force" on banked turns)and the coefficient of friction ("mu").