Why does "banking" or (tilting) a turning road create centripetal force?

A) Because banking the corner keeps car from going too fast.

B) Because the angle of the roadway creates a centripetal force.

C) Because the angle of the roadway helps cars counteract friction.

D) Because the angle of the roadway creates a centrifugal force.

angle pushes car toward center, centripetal

None of the answers are the reason for centripetal force. The centripetal force is caused by the turning of the car on the curve (ie, change of direction). The banking does help with staying on the road, as it allows gravity to assist friction down the hill, so in that sense, answer B is the best answer.

The correct answer is B) Because the angle of the roadway creates a centripetal force.

When a road is banked or tilted at an angle, it creates a natural inward force known as the centripetal force. This force is directed towards the center of the curve and helps objects, such as cars, to follow a curved path without slipping or skidding. The centripetal force is essential for maintaining the car's stability and preventing it from sliding off the road.

To understand why the angle of the roadway creates this force, we need to consider the forces acting on the car. In a turning scenario, two primary forces are at play: the frictional force and the gravitational force.

The frictional force acts between the tires of the car and the road. It opposes the motion and is responsible for keeping the car on the road. Without friction, the car would slide in a straight line instead of turning.

The gravitational force pulls the car downward, trying to make it slide towards the bottom of the curve. As the car goes around the curve, the banking of the road helps counteract this gravitational force.

When the road is banked, the angle of the roadway provides a component of the normal force (the force exerted by the road on the car) in the horizontal direction toward the center of the curve. This horizontal component acts as an inward force, the centripetal force, that helps the car turn. It allows the frictional force between the tires and the road to be reduced, minimizing the chances of the car skidding or losing control.

In summary, the angle of the roadway creates a centripetal force by providing a horizontal component of the normal force that helps the car maintain a curved path without relying solely on friction.