Skateboarders often can skate on the inner surface of cylindrical or bowl - shaped tracks. As a result, the normal (support) force is able to point inwards towards the center of the circle wherever the person is. That center-directed or centripetal force on the skate wheels is important because it
A) helps the skater accelerate inward to complete each turn without skidding.
B) it does work on the skater during each turn and thus increases the skater's energy.
C) balances the outward centrifugal force that the skater experiences as it completes each turn, so that the skater experiences zero net force.
D) it does negative work on the skater during each turn and thus decreases the bicycle's energy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The centripetal force is necessary for any object to move in a circular path, including a skateboarder on a track. It provides the inward acceleration needed to change the direction of the skateboarder's velocity so they can complete turns without skidding outward due to inertia.

Skateboarders Often Can Skate on the Inner Surface of Cylindrical