HaitiLibre Quiz

Automobiles 2.1 WORLD

Difficulty Level: N2 Intermediate
This second Quiz of intermediate difficulty on the epic tale of the automobile is designed for an audience that already has a general knowledge of the subject. This course invites you to delve deeper into the technical, industrial and societal aspects that have marked automotive history. From steam to future air taxis, test the precision of your knowledge!
Progress 1 / 10
In 1769, Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot's steam fardier distinguished itself as the first motor vehicle. What major technical problem, linked to its design, caused its famous accident against a wall?

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THE CORRECT ANSWER: The excessive weight of the boiler at the front disrupts the steering

The excessive weight of the boiler at the front disrupts the steering Correct answer C. Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot's fardier, developed in 1769 for the French army, suffered from a serious architectural imbalance which caused its famous accident against a brick wall.The imposing copper boiler, essential for generating steam, was suspended at the front, directly above the single driving and steering wheel. This configuration transferred a colossal mass to the front of the vehicle, making the steering extremely heavy and difficult for the driver to maneuver, especially when turning.In addition, the rudimentary braking system was completely unsuitable to stop the inertia of this multi-ton machine, even at a reduced speed of 4 km/h. This fundamental problem of mass distribution and maneuverability demonstrated the limits of the technology of the time.This forced engineers of subsequent generations to rethink the layout of engines to stabilize the trajectory of future motor vehicles.