A car negotiates an unbanked circular curve of radius . What provides the necessary centripetal force preventing the car from skidding outward?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Static friction between tires and road
- Step 1: Centripetal force is directed toward the center of the circular trajectory.
- Step 2: On a flat horizontal road, the only force acting horizontally toward the center of curvature is the static friction between the tire tread and the pavement.
Answer
Static friction between tires and road.
Why not the others: 'Gravitational force' acts vertically downward; 'Normal force' acts vertically upward perpendicular to the road; 'Engine thrust' acts tangentially along the direction of motion.
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