Question

question 4 a race car is moving counterclockwise on a circular path as shown in the diagram. imagine that at this instant, the car is at point p and moving at a speed of 100 mph. if the car hits a large oil slick that reduces the force of friction to zero, in what direction will the car slide?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Newton's first law

An object in motion will continue in a straight - line motion with a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force.

Step2: Analyze circular motion

When the car is moving in a circular path, the frictional force provides the centripetal force to keep it in circular motion. When the friction is zero, there is no centripetal force.

Step3: Determine the direction

The car will move in a direction tangent to the circular path at point P because that is the direction of its instantaneous velocity at that point.

Answer:

Tangent to the circular path at point P