Stuck in the Snow
Science brain teasers require understanding of the physical or biological world and the laws that govern it.
Al's old rear-wheel-drive (2WD) pick-up truck is stuck in the snow. He does have a few concrete blocks loaded in the back but where should he locate them for maximum weight and traction on the rear tires? In front of the axle as far forward as possible, directly over the rear axle or behind the axle as far to the rear as possible?
Hint
The bed of the truck is a kind of lever and the rear wheels are the fulcrum.
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Answer
As far to the rear as possible. However slight, this will have the effect of taking some weight off of the front axle. That weight has to go somewhere and the only other place it can go is onto the rear axle. If you had enough weight, or a long enough truck, you could even raise the front wheels off the ground. (Not recommended. In fact, as soon as Al gets unstuck again, he should distribute the blocks evenly in the bed so that there is sufficient weight and balance on all the tires for safe braking and steering traction.)
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