Differential Gears
Compare wheel paths through a bend and see how a differential shares rotation.
A simplified teaching model.
Paths through a 90° turn: inside 14.5 m / outside 16.9 m
(0.93 + 1.07) ÷ 2 = 1.00
How to play
Change the turn radius and use Auto to move the car and wheels. Toggle the one-wheel spin example to compare.
Learn more
Wheel spacing is an illustrative 1.5 m. The lower drawing is a schematic section showing differential motion. An open differential is described as allowing a vehicle to become stuck when one wheel slips. The ice example prescribes a stationary car and one spinning wheel; it does not simulate traction forces.