Final answer:
Both Technician A and Technician B are correct. Rolling resistance is relatively constant regardless of a tire's position on a vehicle and it is the force that opposes the natural rolling of a tire due to deformation and requires energy to overcome.
Step-by-step explanation:
Technician A's statement that a tire's rolling resistance is about the same regardless of where the tire is mounted on the truck is generally accurate, as rolling resistance primarily depends on the tire's construction, tread pattern, inflation pressure, and the road surface, not its position on the vehicle. Technician B is correct in saying that a tire's rolling resistance means it resists rolling along naturally. Rolling resistance is the force that opposes the motion of a rolling tire and is caused by the deformation of the tire as it rolls over a surface. This resistance consumes energy and can affect the vehicle's fuel efficiency.
To further understand this concept, consider rolling motion without slipping. When a car moves forward and the tires roll without slipping, the bottom of the tire deforms slightly and is instantaneously at rest with respect to the road surface due to static friction. This non-slipping condition is crucial for the car to accelerate and maintain grip on the road. Figure 11.2 (a) and (b) illustrate these points with the bicycle example.