Final answer:
Pulling back on the right handlebar of a motorcycle causes it to lean to the left due to angular momentum, initiating a left turn because of centripetal force and balance dynamics.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a physics student is driving a motorcycle at highway speed and pulls back lightly on the right handlebar, the motorcycle tips to the left and initiates a left turn. This phenomenon occurs due to the principles of centripetal force and the counterintuitive nature of motorcycle dynamics.
As the rider pulls back on the right handlebar, the front wheel is directed slightly to the right, causing the motorcycle to lean to the left because of the conservation of angular momentum.
This lean increases the gravitational force's component acting as the centripetal force, which then causes the motorcycle to turn left. It is important to maintain an appropriate balance and lean angle in order to safely execute a turn on a motorcycle.
When making a left turn, the wheels of a vehicle need to be turned to the left. This is because of a physics concept called centripetal force, which is the force that keeps an object moving in a curved path.
When a vehicle is turning, the centripetal force is provided by the friction between the tires and the road. By turning the wheels to the left, the tires are angled in a way that helps increase the friction and maintain the vehicle's stability while making the left turn.
So, to make a left turn, you must turn your wheels to the left.