Question

When the cyclist bends while taking a sharp turn, the component of his weight provides the necessary centripetal force and this reduces his dependence on friction alone to provide the centripetal force. Explain.

Answer 1

A cyclist bends while taking a sharp turn

1. When cycling on a curved track, the cyclist is held in place by a force known as centripetal force.
2. This force is provided by the friction on the tires. Due to the cyclist's fast speed, however, additional effort is required to keep him on the road.
3. This force is generated by the horizontal component of the cyclist's normal force.
4. The normal force is the force that works against gravity.
5. As the normal force bends, its orientation tilts, giving the force a vertical and horizontal aspect.
6. While bending, the force of friction provides the necessary centripetal force but sometimes when the velocity is high, the centripetal force provided by friction is not enough and the cyclist has to bend.
7. By doing so, the normal force acting on the cyclist also has a horizontal component that provides the additional centripetal force.
8. The horizontal component $R\sin \theta$ shown in the diagram below provides the additional centripetal force.

Hence, when the cyclist bends while taking a sharp turn, the component of his weight provides the necessary centripetal force and this reduces his dependence on friction alone to provide the centripetal force.