Lesson 1: The Geometry of the Contact Patch
Duration of Days: 3
Lesson Objective
SWBAT:
Define Positive, Negative, and Neutral Camber.
Measure current camber angles on a race vehicle using a digital protractor or bubble gauge.
Why would a race car want the tops of the tires leaning toward each other?
How does Camber affect the "rolling resistance" of an Electrathon vehicle?
Camber, Contact Patch, Kingpin, Tire Scrub, Lean, Vertical Axis.
CT-CTE.TRANS.D.14: Describe the operation of steering systems.
CT-CTE.TRANS.D.16: Diagnose steering and suspension problems.
DOK Level: 2 (Skill/Concept
Students explore how the tire meets the road. The purpose is to understand Camber and its effect on cornering traction and tire longevity.
Misconception: "Tires should always be perfectly vertical for the best grip."
Correction: In a turn, the vehicle body rolls; "Static" negative camber allows the tire to become vertical during the turn for maximum grip.
Support: Use a cardboard model of a wheel and an "axle" to visually demonstrate how leaning the wheel changes the surface area touching the table.
Extension: Research how Camber affects heat buildup in high-speed racing vs. Electrathon efficiency.
Camber Inspection Log: Students measure and record the camber of both front wheels and determine if they are symmetrical.