A car on black ice is on a banked road

[x86]

Homework Statement

A stationary car on black ice (no friction) is on a banked road and begins to experience some acceleration. What force is causing the acceleration?

a) The horizontal component of the normal force
b) The vertical component of the normal force
c) Gravity

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

This confused me, because the answer is clearly gravity (gsinx) but the horizontal component of the normal force also does make sense.

So is the answer a or c? From my understanding the normal force is only a reaction force... but it does make sense; say the normal force is applied at some angle; then isn't it possible for its x or y components to cause acceleration?

I'm not sure which is correct for bank turns, because I've learned that the horizontal component is from gravity (gsinx) but some websites say its the normal force (Nsinx). What would be the force in this scenario?

 

[haruspex]

In my view it's the resultant of all 3. Do you have to pick one?
If I had to pick one I'd say gravity, on the basis that the normal force is orthogonal to the direction of acceleration.

 

[x86]

In my view it's the resultant of all 3. Do you have to pick one?
If I had to pick one I'd say gravity, on the basis that the normal force is orthogonal to the direction of acceleration.

Yes we have to pick one. It's a high school physics course so I guess gravity doing it would be enough

 

[dreamLord]

I would say gravity as well.

 

[Nickie]

The correct answer would be c) Gravity. While the horizontal component of the normal force may contribute to the acceleration, it is ultimately the force of gravity that is causing the car to accelerate on the banked road. This is because gravity is the force that is pulling the car down towards the ground, causing it to move in a circular path on the banked road. The normal force, on the other hand, is the force that is perpendicular to the surface of the road and is simply balancing out the force of gravity to keep the car from sinking into the road. Therefore, while the normal force may have a component that contributes to the acceleration, it is ultimately gravity that is the main force causing the car to accelerate on the banked road.