Quote:
Originally Posted by EricH
Bryan, wider wheel does not give higher normal force because it is a wider wheel. Normal force is the same--object mass/# of object points of contact.
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Quite right, my mistake. I believe the correct term would perhaps be contact patch? In reguard to my example the dragster has more tire contacting the ground thus interacting with the ground. Like someone else pointed out if the ground is slick (or otherwise does not allow the wheel tread to "lock" togeather with the ground) the added width is mostly useless.
As to theoretical happenings, I don't think those take into account the way tread (say roughtop) locks togeather with the carpet besides their CoF. Correct me if I'm wrong though.