A cyclist taking turn bends inwards while a car passenger taking same turn is thrown outwards. The reason is

The correct option is: Cyclist has to counteract the centrifugal force while in the case of car only the passenger is thrown by this force

Let us break down the physical reasons behind this behavior step-by-step:

1. Understanding the Turning Motion and Centrifugal Force:
When any object travels along a curved path, it undergoes circular motion. From the perspective of the rotating frame of reference (the turning vehicle or cycle), an outward pseudo-force called the centrifugal force acts on the system. This force is represented as:

$F=\frac{m{v}^2}{r}$
where $m$ is the mass, $v$ is the velocity, and $r$ is the radius of the circular path.

2. Why the Cyclist Bends Inward:
A bicycle has only two points of contact with the ground, making it unstable sideways. When taking a turn, the outward centrifugal force acting on the cyclist's center of mass creates a torque that tends to pull the bicycle outward and make it overturn. To counteract this outward torque, the cyclist bends inward. By leaning at a calculated angle toward the center of the turn, the force of gravity creates an inward torque. This inward torque perfectly counterbalances the outward torque from the centrifugal force, allowing the cyclist to make the turn safely without falling.

3. Why the Car Passenger is Thrown Outward:
A car has four wheels and a wide base, making it stable without needing to lean. When the car turns, the friction between the tires and the road provides the centripetal force required to turn the vehicle. However, the passengers inside the car are not rigidly fixed to the chassis. Due to their inertia of direction, the passengers tend to continue moving in their original straight-line path. From their frame of reference inside the turning car, they experience an unbalanced outward centrifugal force that throws them toward the outer side of the car.