A Falling Bicycle The moment of inertia of the front wheel o

A Falling Bicycle. The moment of inertia of the front wheel of a bicycle about its axle is I, its radius is r, and the forward speed of the bicycle is v.

With what angular velocity must the front wheel be turned about a vertical axis to counteract the capsizing torque due to a mass m located a distance x horizontally to the right or left of the line of contact of wheels and ground? (Bicycle riders: Compare your own experience and decide whether your answer seems reasonable.)

Take the free fall acceleration to be g.

Solution

L = I.

Torque    T = W.X

                T = (m.g). x    -       For the given problem

Where;

L = Length                               I = Moment of Inertia

=Angular Velocity                 T = Torque

W = mass                                 X = Distance

The rider has to overcome the above mentioned gyro action to overcome to maintain equilibrium