When a car goes around a circular curve on a horizontal road at constant speed, what force causes it to follow the circular path?
A) gravity
B) the friction force from the road
C) the normal force from the road
D) No force causes the car to do this because the car is traveling at constant speed and therefore has no acceleration.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The friction force from the road provides the centripetal force necessary for the car to follow a circular path. Even though the car is moving at a constant speed, it is still accelerating due to the change in direction, and this acceleration is provided by the frictional force.

When a Car Goes Around a Circular Curve on a Horizontal