Final answer:
The overall friction force between car tires and the road may not increase with wider tires if load and tire pressure remain constant. Friction is dependent on both the coefficient of friction and the normal force. Wider tires can provide benefits like better stability, but they do not automatically guarantee increased friction force.
Step-by-step explanation:
The friction force between car tires and the road is influenced by the size of the contact area of the tire with the road surface. When wider tires are used, the contact area increases. However, because the normal force is distributed over a larger area, the pressure per unit area does not necessarily increase; it depends on the load the tire is supporting and the tire pressure. If the load and tire pressure remain constant, the overall friction force does not automatically increase with wider tires. Friction is dependent on the coefficient of friction between the tire and the road and the normal force. Therefore, while wider tires may not increase the friction force by themselves, they may provide other benefits, such as better stability. One situation where increased friction is desirable is while walking or hiking on uneven or slippery surfaces. In such cases, shoes with a good grip (high friction) help prevent slipping and support stability and safety.