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Railway engineering and circular motion: Why tracks are banked on curves? Banking reduces reliance on lateral friction and safely provides the centripetal force for turning at speed. Choose the correct option.

Difficulty: Easy

To provide the necessary centripetal force (reduce lateral friction needs)
To improve drainage on the track
To reduce sound/noise generation
To decrease fuel consumption on straights

Correct Answer: To provide the necessary centripetal force (reduce lateral friction needs)

Explanation:

Concept

On curves, a component of the normal reaction from a banked track supplies part/all of the required centripetal force.
This allows higher safe speeds without excessive side friction or risk of derailment.

Final Answer
To provide the necessary centripetal force (reduce lateral friction needs)

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