Physics of Curves

When a car takes a curve at high speed, it's more likely to skid or tip over if the road is not banked. What is the primary reason for this?

• A) Inertia

• B) Friction

• C) Gravity

• D) Centripetal force

What is the angle at which a road should be banked to allow a car to safely navigate a curve without relying on friction?

• A) 0 degrees

• B) 45 degrees

• C) 90 degrees

• D) It depends on the speed of the car

In a high-speed turn on a banked curve, the centripetal force is directed:

• A) Downward

• B) Perpendicular to the road

• C) Radially outward

• D) Parallel to the road

Which of the following factors does not affect the ideal banking angle of a curve for a given speed?

• A) The radius of the curve

• B) The mass of the vehicle

• C) The coefficient of friction between the tires and the road

• D) The speed of the vehicle

If a car is moving at a constant speed around a banked curve and the banking angle is less than the ideal angle, what will happen?

• A) The car will skid outward

• B) The car will skid inward

• C) The car will continue on its path without skidding

• D) The car will flip over

When driving on a flat, unbanked curve, what force provides the necessary centripetal force to keep the car on the curve?

• A) Friction between the tires and the road

• B) Tension in the seatbelt

• C) Gravity

• D) Air resistance

In a high-speed turn on a banked curve, what helps increase the friction between the tires and the road?

• A) Decreasing the banking angle

• B) Increasing the radius of the curve

• C) Increasing the speed of the car

• D) None of the above

Which of the following statements is true about the ideal banking angle for a curve?

• A) It is always 45 degrees.

• B) It depends only on the speed of the vehicle.

• C) It depends on the speed of the vehicle and the radius of the curve.

• D) It is constant and independent of other factors.

At what point on a banked curve does the normal force exert the greatest upward force on a vehicle?

• A) At the bottom of the curve

• B) At the top of the curve

• C) On the flat portion of the road before the curve

• D) It's the same at all points on the curve.

When a car is on a banked curve and its speed increases, what happens to the necessary banking angle?

• A) It increases

• B) It decreases

• C) It remains the same

• D) It depends on the mass of the vehicle