Chapter 11, Problem 36A

To balance automobile wheels, particularly when tires have worn unevenly, lead weights are fastened to their edges. Where should the CG of the balanced wheel be located?

To determine

The location of the center of gravity of the balanced wheel of an automobile.

Answer to Problem 36A

The center of gravity of the tire lies at the center of the wheel.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The centre of gravity of a body is the point where all the forces that are acting on a body will be equal to zero.

To travel at high speeds, the wheel balancing requires the wheel and the tire to be balanced. And we need to confirm that the weight is evenly distributed throughout the wheel and tores of a vehicle. As the tires are worn unevenly and the lead weights are fastened at the edges, there will be no part of the tire that exists at the center, due to this the center of gravity is back to the geometric center. Hence, the center of gravity of the tire lies at the center of the wheel.