Force on front and rear tires are in opposite direction?

This following applet is Force on front and rear tires are in opposite direction?
Created by prof Hwang Modified by Ahmed
Original project Force on front and rear tires are in opposite direction?

The following applet simulated a front wheel drive car.
The engine provide power which drive the front tires rotate in the forward direction.
Due to friction force, front tires push ground backward,at the same time, ground push front tires forward. So the force on the front tires are in the forward direction.

However, the rear tires have to rotate with the front tires in the same rotation direction.
So the ground has to provide a back-ward push on the tire to make the rear tires rotate in the same direction as front tires.
If those two force are equal in magnitude but in oppositive direction, then, the net force on the car should be zero? Why the car can move forward?
What do you think about the above arguments? What is wrong? Huh

Think about it. Roll Eyes

Use mouse to turn on power check box, the car will star to move.
The drag force is assume to be in the form as Fb=-b*vx;
Red arrow shows the velocity. You can change the engine power with slider and turn on/off the power with checkbox.

Embed a running copy of this simulation

Embed a running copy link(show simulation in a popuped window)

Full screen applet or Press the Alt key and the left mouse button to drag the applet off the browser and onto the desktop. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Taiwan License

Please feel free to post your ideas about how to use the simulation for better teaching and learning.
Post questions to be asked to help students to think, to explore.
Upload worksheets as attached files to share with more users.

Let's work together. We can help more users understand physics conceptually and enjoy the fun of learning physics!

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