sivuttaiskiihtyvyydet

Sivuttaiskiihtyvyydet, often translated as lateral acceleration, refers to the acceleration experienced by an object or person perpendicular to the direction of motion. In the context of vehicles, this typically means acceleration experienced sideways, such as when turning. This force is a consequence of Newton's second law, F=ma, where a sideways force causes a sideways acceleration.

When a vehicle turns, centripetal force is required to change its direction. This force is provided by friction between the tires and the road surface, acting towards the center of the turn. The magnitude of the lateral acceleration experienced is dependent on the speed of the vehicle and the radius of the turn. A sharper turn (smaller radius) or a higher speed will result in greater lateral acceleration.

For vehicle occupants, lateral acceleration can be felt as a push towards the outside of the turn. This sensation is a result of inertia; the body tends to continue moving in a straight line while the vehicle changes direction. Excessive lateral acceleration can lead to discomfort, loss of control for the driver, or even rollovers in extreme cases. Vehicle dynamics engineers design suspension systems and tire compounds to manage and optimize lateral acceleration for stability and performance. In motorsports, controlling and utilizing lateral acceleration is a key aspect of achieving fast lap times.