College

When trying to pull away from a slick surface in a manual car, you should do which of the following?

A. Shift to a lower gear and accelerate rapidly
B. Ease off the clutch gradually and apply gentle throttle
C. Slam on the brakes and then accelerate
D. Engage the parking brake and slowly release it

Answer :

Final answer:

To pull away from a slick surface in a manual car, easing off the clutch gradually while applying gentle throttle is best. This approach manages static and kinetic friction for a smoother start.

Explanation:

When trying to pull away from a slick surface in a manual car, the best option is to ease off the clutch gradually and apply gentle throttle. This approach allows for a controlled increase in the wheel's grip on the surface by effectively managing the balance between static and kinetic friction. Static friction is the force that holds the car stationary until the force applied exceeds its limit. Kinetic friction then takes over once the car starts to move. If you were to apply too much throttle too quickly, the wheels might spin, which means you would be relying on kinetic friction alone, which is usually lower than static friction. This leads to reduced traction and control. Therefore, by gradually easing off the clutch and carefully applying the throttle, you maintain a higher level of static friction longer, leading to a smoother and more controlled start.