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)the normal force from the road
B)the friction force from the road
C)gravity
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 causes the car to follow the circular path. This force acts inwards towards the center of the circle, providing the centripetal force needed to maintain the circular motion. The normal force from the road also plays a role in balancing the weight of the car, but it does not directly cause the circular motion. The force of gravity is balanced by a normal force to keep the car on the road, but it does not cause the circular motion. Option D is incorrect because the car may be traveling at a constant speed, but it is changing direction, which means it has acceleration towards the center of the circle.

When a Car Goes Around a Circular Curve on a Horizontal