Question

A man in a minivan rounds a circular turn at a constant speed.
Which of the following would cause the minivan to experience less acceleration?

• A. Traveling faster
• B. Traveling around a turn with a smaller circular radius
• C. Traveling with more weight in the van
• D. Traveling around a turn with a greater circular radius
• E. Traveling the opposite direction around the same turn

Answer 1

The correct option is D Traveling around a turn with a greater circular radius

The centripetal force experienced by an object in a circular path=$\frac{m{v}^2}{R}$.

Hence the centripetal acceleration is given by $a=\frac{v^2}{R}$
Thus the centripetal acceleration decreasing on increasing $R$.

Correct answer is option D.