Question

Complete the following: A car is moving in uniform circular motion. The direction of friction between the tyres and the path is _____________.

• A. towards the centre
• B. tangential to the path

Hint:

In circular motion, always identify the force acting as the centripetal force. For a car on a flat road, it's friction; for a planet orbiting the sun, it's gravity.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
For any object to move in a circular path, a net force must act on it directed toward the center of the circle. This is known as the centripetal force.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
When a car turns on a flat road, the only force that can provide this centripetal acceleration is the static friction between the tyres and the road surface.
If friction did not act toward the center, the car would skid outward due to its inertia. Therefore, to maintain uniform circular motion, the frictional force must be directed radially inward, i.e., towards the centre of the path.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The direction of friction is towards the centre.