Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

What is the force enacted upon a vehicle moving in a curved path that acts outwardly?

1. Gravity

2. Friction

3. Centrifugal force

4. Inertia

The correct answer is: Centrifugal force

The correct answer is centrifugal force, which is perceived as an outward force experienced by an object moving along a curved path. When a vehicle turns or follows a curve, the occupants feel as though they are being pushed outward away from the center of the curve, which is a result of the vehicle’s inertia. Centrifugal force arises not because it's a real force acting from an external source, but rather because of an object’s tendency to maintain its straight-line motion due to inertia. This is critical when understanding the dynamics of vehicles navigating turns. As the vehicle changes direction, it requires a centripetal force (often provided by friction between the tires and the road) to keep it on the curved path. However, the sensation of being pushed outward is what is referred to as centrifugal force. When considering the other options, gravity acts downward on the vehicle, influencing its weight but not contributing to the sensation of outward movement during a turn. Friction plays a vital role in providing the necessary centripetal force to maintain a vehicle's curve but does not represent the force perceived as outward. Inertia is a property of matter that describes an object's resistance to changes in motion, but it does not specifically describe the outward sensation experienced while navigating a curve