2006-10-07 19:25:23 · 3 answers · asked by syrious 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
No, really...Is this a Test Question?
Tires go flat because the air in the tires wants to equalize the pressure with the outside air.
If the tire is ridden upon, the air molecules within the tire heat up, and thus expand.
The tire restricts the expansion of the air molecules, and inflates, thus providing the resistance necessary to keep the bicycle from being acted upon by outside forces, e.g. road shock.
If left idle, every pneumatic tire will eventually equalize pressure.
This is really basic Newtonian physics.
"Sooner" is just a perception.
2006-10-07 20:43:38 · answer #1 · answered by d_cider1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is strictly friction at first. The heat does keep the tires inflated. Then many many months later the rubber does start to slowly disintegrate. But here is the key to it all. The valve stems to the inner tube leak air also. Even with the caps on. It is to slight to notice but it happens. So if you keep the friction up by riding it. You intern keep the tube inflation up and also exercise the rubber so it does not disintegrate.
2006-10-08 03:13:49 · answer #2 · answered by chevy_angel_77 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rubber is probably getting brittle where it seals with rim. Plus warm air caused by friction and riding keeps the tire up. Cold air does opposite.
2006-10-08 02:33:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋