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xgunther's avatar

how does a train stay on the tracks?

Asked by xgunther (380 points) | asked October 31st, 2007 | 6 responses | “Great Question” (0 points) | Flag as…
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sferik's avatar

Gravity.

sferik (4209 points)“Great Answer” (0 points) Flag as…
tekn0lust's avatar

Have a close look at the wheels of a train and you will see that the inside of the wheel has a lip(flange) that goes on the inside of the track. This plus gravity keep it on the track.

Search google images for “train track and wheel”

tekn0lust (929 points)“Great Answer” (1 points) Flag as…
Spargett's avatar

They don’t turn sharply enough, at a fast enough speed for their inertia to pull them from the track. With the lip on the inside of the wheel its easier for the trains momentum to continue in a relatively straight manner along the rail that gently guides it.

Its really just a simple math equation.

Spargett (4388 points)“Great Answer” (0 points) Flag as…
sm1leybaby's avatar

no no no lol
trains, stay on their track because their rims are slightly tapered. =D my teacher mr. daly told me =D

sm1leybaby (1 points)“Great Answer” (0 points) Flag as…

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