Final answer:
The statement that hydroplaning is more likely if tire pressure is low is true. Low tire pressure can increase the risk of hydroplaning by allowing more water to build up under the tires and reduce traction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hydroplaning is more likely if tire pressure is low. The statement is true. Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds up between the tires of a vehicle and the road surface, leading to a loss of traction that prevents the vehicle from responding to control inputs.
Low tire pressure means the tires are not optimally inflated, which can cause them to have a larger contact area with the road and potentially trap more water underneath them. This can result in an increased risk of hydroplaning. On the contrary, properly inflated tires are more capable of dispersing water away from the tire's tread and maintain better contact with the road surface.
When the car is driven, the tires flex, and as they become warmer, the pressure inside them increases. This is related to the Ideal Gas Law where the volume of the tire is mostly constant, especially after the tire has expanded to nearly its full size. Subsequently, the continued addition of air or an increase in temperature leads to an increase in pressure. When the temperature drops significantly, as in the example given of tires on a ferry boat to Alaska, the tire pressure will decrease according to the Ideal Gas Law, which can also potentially increase the risk of hydroplaning in cold conditions.