The bicycle problem
A bicycle is supported so that it is prevented from falling sideways but can move forward or backwards; its pedals are in the highest and lowest positions. A student crouches beside the bicycle and applies a horizontal force, directed towards the back wheel, to the lower pedal. Which way does the bicycle move?
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1 solution
the bicycle moves in direction of the net force.Because the work done is always positive ,it follows that the students hand moves backwards with respect to ground . consider the case where the gearing N relates as N <(r/R)<1 (R being radius of the wheel , r is the length of pedal arm) from which we can conclude that the bicycle may move forward despite the oppositely applied force