Question

a car is driven round a bend in the road at a constant speed.
what is the direction of the resultant force on the car when it is going round the bend?
○ a. parallel to the motion and in the opposite direction to the motion
○ b. parallel to the motion and in the same direction as the motion
○ c. perpendicular to the motion and towards the inside of the bend
○ d. perpendicular to the motion and towards the outside of the bend

Explanation:

Step1: Recall centripetal force concept

When an object moves in a circular path (like a car going round a bend), there is a centripetal force. The centripetal force is directed towards the center of the circular path.

Step2: Analyze the direction of the car's motion and force

The car's instantaneous direction of motion is tangential to the bend (the curved path). The centripetal force (resultant force for circular motion here) is perpendicular to the tangential motion (direction of the car's motion at that instant) and towards the inside of the bend (center of the circular - like path of the bend).

Answer:

C. perpendicular to the motion and towards the inside of the bend