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peachmango
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I would really appreciate if you could help me with a question I have. I was having a debate with someone I work with about whether or not a car with an open diff can spin both wheels at the same time (aka do a burnout). Let me know if my logic is incorrect. If a RWD car is on ice (low friction) and it tries to accelerate, both rear wheels will slip and rotate at the same speed because the torque at the wheels is enough to overcome the static coefficient of friction. Using the same idea if a very powerful RWD car that is on asphalt (consider even friction across entire surface, therefore equal traction at both tires) applies its front brakes and accelerates with full force both rear wheels will spin in place at the same speed because the torque of the car is so high it can overcome the higher friction of the surface the car is on. Obviously this is an ideal situation where the frictional forces are equal at both rear wheel to allow for equal speeds, but it is possible correct? Thank you so much for your help.