Quote:
Originally Posted by Pjohn1959
Based on the coeffienct of friction, we are using 4 wheels this year. The less points of contact on the new floor, the better.
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You get the same traction no matter what number of wheels you use. It is just split between all of them... the total is the same...
In order for this to be true, force has to be able to be applied by all the wheels in contact with the floor. Any non-powered wheels will decrease the amount of force you can apply by lowering the normal force of the powered wheels.
The force you can apply to the floor is contingent in this game simply on the coefficient of friction and the normal force. These two do NOT change when you add more wheels.
In a game with a non-slippery or non-smooth surface I would agree that you MIGHT be able to influence the force you can apply to the floor ( and therefore the acceleration) by adding more wheels or more surface area...but in this game you can only apply the force you are "allowed" to apply by friction.
good luck in your designs!!!