A cyclist while turning around a curved road leans inwards. By doing so which force he is providing himself which enables to take a turn?

Appeared in: BCCL kharkhanda Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

Any object moving in a curved or circular path requires a force directed towards the center of the curve; this is defined as the centripetal force.
For a cyclist turning on a road, the centripetal force is provided by the static friction between the tires and the road surface.
The action of leaning inwards is a necessary maneuver to balance the cyclist and bike, allowing the frictional force to be effectively used as the centripetal force to navigate the turn without falling over.

Option A: Centrifugal force is an apparent or 'fictitious' force that seems to push an object outwards from the center of rotation. It is the result of inertia, not the cause of the turn.
Option C: Angular velocity is a measure of how fast an object rotates or revolves around a center (e.g., in radians per second). It describes the speed of the turn, but it is not a force.
Option D: This option is incorrect because a specific physical force, the centripetal force, correctly describes the phenomenon.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Physics of Circular Motion (Centripetal Force) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question tests a fundamental concept from physics, which is part of the general science curriculum included in some nursing entrance examinations.
While not a direct clinical topic, understanding basic physics principles like force, balance, and friction is foundational to the study of biomechanics.
Biomechanics is critical in nursing for ensuring safe patient handling, transferring patients, preventing falls, and understanding how injuries occur.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core physical action described: a cyclist is changing direction by moving along a curved path.
Recall the fundamental principles of circular motion. An object moving in a circle is constantly accelerating because its direction is changing. This acceleration requires a net force.
Differentiate between the key terms provided in the options. Understand that 'centripetal' means 'center-seeking' and 'centrifugal' means 'center-fleeing'.
Recognize that a real, physical force must be responsible for changing the cyclist's direction. This inward-directed force is the centripetal force.
Eliminate 'Angular Velocity' as it's a measure of speed, not force. Eliminate 'Centrifugal Force' as it's an apparent effect of inertia, not the cause of the turn.
Conclude that the cyclist leans to properly utilize the friction from the road as the necessary centripetal force.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Physiology Guyton 4SAE Part 2A p. 121-123

Practise the full BCCL kharkhanda Staff Nurse - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.