Final answer:
The correct answer is option b. riding in a vehicle's wheel tracks. The best way for motorcyclists to gain extra traction on a wet road is by riding in a vehicle's wheel tracks, which have likely dispelled some of the water, making it less slippery.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the road is wet, motorcyclists can gain extra traction by riding in the wheel tracks left by cars. The reasoning behind this is that the car's tires have already dispelled some of the water on the road surface, making it less slippery. Riding at a right angle or on painted lane markers can actually be more dangerous because these surfaces can be extra slippery when wet. Weaving left and right does not provide consistent traction and is generally unsafe.
Understanding the physics of traction is important for motorcyclists. While every action has a reaction, maintaining a steady course in wet conditions increases stability and safety. The frictional forces between the tire and the road surface are crucial for a motorcycle's grip on the road, and tracking in areas where water has been displaced can offer a better grip, leveraging the physics of friction.
This is because the wheel tracks tend to be drier than the rest of the road, as the tires of other vehicles can help to displace water from the surface. By riding in these tracks, motorcyclists can benefit from the increased traction and reduce the risk of slipping or losing control.
For example, when a car drives over a wet road, its tires push water away from the surface, creating a relatively dry patch in its wheel tracks. By riding in these tracks, a motorcyclist can avoid the wetter parts of the road and take advantage of the improved traction in the tracks.