When you drive a car around a curve that is not banked, what force provides the centripetal acceleration? If the curve is banked, what additional force plays a role in providing the centripetal force?

Answer :

scme1702
Hello
We know that centripetal force is required to keep an object moving in a circular path. When a curve is not banked, the only force contributing towards the centripetal force is friction; as would be the case when you would be driving on a straight road.
However, when a curve is banked, the weight of the vehicle also contributes towards centripetal force. This is because the weight of the vehicle has a vector component acting in that direction.
This is the reason why NASCAR tracks are banked and some highways are banked.
Hope this helped.

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