How to Push a 5-Ton SUV with Just One Hand: The Physics Explained! (READ DESCRIPTION)

How to Push a 5-Ton SUV with Just One Hand: The Physics Explained!

In this video, I’ll show you a fascinating trick: how to push a 5-ton SUV using just one hand! Sounds impossible? It’s not! The secret lies in understanding physics and leveraging mechanical advantage through the car's tire. By placing the vehicle in neutral and using the tire as a leverage point, you can create enough force to move even a massive vehicle like this.

How It Works
Key Concepts in Physics:
Force (F): The effort required to move the object.
Torque (τ): The rotational force applied to the tire.
Torque is calculated as:
τ = r × F × sin(θ)
Where:
r = radius of the tire (e.g., 0.4 meters for an SUV tire)
F = applied force
θ = angle of force application (90° for perpendicular force).
Leverage: The tire acts as a lever, magnifying the force applied by your hand.
Breaking It Down:
The SUV weighs 5 tons (5000 kg), so the gravitational force acting on it is:
F_gravity = m × g = 5000 × 9.8 = 49,000 N.
This force is distributed across all four tires, meaning each tire supports about:
F_tire = 49,000 ÷ 4 = 12,250 N.

The car is in neutral, so we’re not overcoming the full weight of the SUV but rather the rolling resistance of the tires and frictional forces. Rolling resistance typically requires a force of about 0.01–0.02 times the car’s weight, so:
F_resistance = 49,000 × 0.02 = 980 N.

By using the tire as a lever, the required force is reduced further. If the tire’s radius is 0.4 meters, the leverage effect multiplies your force:
F_required = F_resistance ÷ r = 980 ÷ 0.4 = 245 N.

One-Hand Push:
Your hand only needs to apply 245 N of force perpendicular to the tire. This is achievable for most people due to the tire’s ability to transfer torque and reduce the effort needed to overcome the SUV’s resistance.

Why This Works
The tire essentially transforms your applied force into rotational torque, which in turn moves the vehicle. This lever effect is similar to using a wrench to loosen a tight bolt—the longer the lever, the less force you need.

Try It Yourself!
Here’s what you’ll need:

A heavy car (SUVs work best).
Place the car in neutral (ensure it’s safe to do so).
Use the tire tread as a grip point and apply force perpendicular to the surface.
Watch the magic happen as you move the SUV with minimal effort!