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Why should individuals keep wheels straight while waiting to turn?

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Individuals should keep their wheels straight while waiting to turn to maintain stability and ensure a smoother and safer maneuver.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is option Physics.

Individuals should keep their wheels straight while waiting to turn because of the concept of centripetal force. When a vehicle makes a turn, it experiences the force of the ground on the wheel, which needs to be on a line through the center of gravity to maintain stability.

By keeping the wheels straight, any horizontal component of the force can supply the centripetal force required for the turn, resulting in a smoother and safer maneuver.

For example, if a driver keeps their wheels turned to one side while waiting to turn, it can lead to instability and difficulty in making the turn smoothly. On the other hand, keeping the wheels straight allows the vehicle to maintain a straight-line path until the turning maneuver is initiated, reducing the risk of skidding or losing control.

The correct answer is that individuals should keep wheels straight while waiting to turn to maintain stability and prevent accidents.

When a vehicle is waiting to turn, keeping the wheels straight ensures that if it is hit from behind, it won't be pushed into oncoming traffic, risking a head-on collision.

This also relates to a principle in physics involving centripetal force and centrifugal force, as experienced when a vehicle is in motion and taking a turn.

A bicycle, for example, must lean at the correct angle to make a stable turn, where the force exerted by the ground must align with the center of gravity, allowing the force on the wheel to be resolved into two perpendicular components: friction (providing the centripetal force) and the normal force (balancing the system's weight).

However, when stationary and preparing to turn, wheel position is critical for safety reasons rather than physical forces that act during a turn.

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