In driving and vehicle dynamics, skids that occur when the brakes are applied so hard that the front or rear wheels lose traction with the road surface are called what type of skids?

Introduction / Context:

Safe driving requires good understanding of how tyres interact with the road surface. When friction is lost due to sudden or excessive actions, a vehicle can skid. This question focuses on the specific situation in which brakes are applied so hard that the front or rear wheels lock and lose traction, leading to a skid.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The driver applies the brakes very hard.
• The tyres lose grip and begin to slide instead of roll.
• We are asked to identify the type of skid caused mainly by braking.

Concept / Approach:

A skid occurs when the frictional force between tyre and road is not sufficient to support the demanded acceleration or deceleration. Different types of skids are classified by their causes, such as cornering skids during turning, power skids due to excessive acceleration, and braking skids caused by harsh braking. When brakes are applied so strongly that the wheels lock up, the tyres slide over the road rather than roll, and the skid is termed a braking skid.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Driver training manuals often describe four basic skids: braking, power, cornering, and blowout. The description given in the question, where brakes are applied so hard that wheels lose traction, matches exactly the definition of a braking skid. Anti lock braking systems in modern vehicles are designed specifically to prevent this kind of skid by modulating brake pressure.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Option A: Cornering skids happen when a vehicle is turned too sharply or too fast, causing sideways sliding, not necessarily due to harsh braking.

Option B: Blowout skids are associated with sudden tyre bursts or blowouts, which is not mentioned here.

Option C: Power skids occur when too much power is applied to the drive wheels, causing them to spin and lose traction, again a different situation.

Common Pitfalls:

Students sometimes choose cornering skids because they associate skids in general with turning. It is important to read the cause used in the question. The wording clearly emphasises brakes applied so hard that traction is lost, which points to braking skids. In examinations, pay close attention to the described cause of the skid.

Final Answer:

These skids are specifically called braking skids.