Final answer:
A motorist must adjust steering and speed when approaching a curve to safely manage the centrifugal force and maintain control of the vehicle. Speed adjustment is crucial for maintaining traction, and while banked curves can allow higher speeds, normal roads require careful speed management. For motorcycles, handlebar adjustments are part of managing the physical forces during a turn.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is important for a motorist to adjust steering and speed when approaching a curve in the road to manage the centrifugal force experienced during the turn. If you maintain a constant speed and do not adjust the steering, the vehicle will undergo uniform circular motion, resulting in a feeling of being pushed to the outside of the curve. This happens because the body's inertia wants to keep moving straight, while the car is changing direction along the curve. Moreover, considering factors like ideal speed and banked curves, it is evident that both steering and speed must be modulated to safely navigate curves.
When taking a curve, slowing down is essential to reduce the risk of sliding due to loss of traction between tires and the road surface. In the case of banked curves, such as those found on race tracks, the slope of the road provides additional help in negotiating curves, allowing vehicles to maintain a higher speed. The ideal banking angle allows maneuvering without relying solely on tire grip, but everyday roads are not typically banked to this ideal, requiring careful speed adjustment.