The following equation was obtained by solving a physics problem: The best physical representation of the situation is
A) A car traveling at 16.0 m/s is 19.2° into a turn of a quarter circle on a level road.
B) A mass on a string that is originally horizontal has fallen to where the angle between the string and the vertical direction is 19.2°.
C) A mass on a string originally horizontal has fallen 19.2° from the horizontal direction.
D) A car traveling at 16.0 m/s is on a circular curve banked at 19.2°.
E) A car traveling at 16.0 m/s and going over a semicircular mountain-top road is 19.2° down from the top.

Question

The following equation was obtained by solving a physics problem:  The best physical representation of the situation is
A) A car traveling at 16.0 m/s is 19.2° into a turn of a quarter circle on a level road. 
B) A mass on a string that is originally horizontal has fallen to where the angle between the string and the vertical direction is 19.2°. 
C) A mass on a string originally horizontal has fallen 19.2° from the horizontal direction. 
D) A car traveling at 16.0 m/s is on a circular curve banked at 19.2°. 
E) A car traveling at 16.0 m/s and going over a semicircular mountain-top road is 19.2° down from the top.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The equation given is for centripetal force, which applies to objects moving in circular motion. A car traveling at a constant speed of 16.0 m/s would need a centripetal force to make a turn. Additionally, the equation includes the angle of the curve, which suggests that the road is banked. Therefore, the best physical representation of the situation is a car traveling at 16.0 m/s on a circular curve banked at 19.2° (option D).

The Following Equation Was Obtained by Solving a Physics Problem