i know there must be some physical law that causes this, but I can't figure it out.
2007-03-25 09:14:37 · 13 answers · asked by annikagyrl 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Its absolutely nothing to do with gyroscopic force or angular momentum.
The bicycle has a swivelling front fork. This allows the angle of the front wheel to wobble. If you couldn't wobble then you would fall over. The front wheel is raked forwards to make a more stable design. Then the bike has to be in motion to be stable. If the bike starts to fall over then the wheel will steer into the turn. This then lifts the bike upright but the cost of correcting the fall means that the bike is now heading in a different direction. Bikes like this can be ridden hands off because you just need to lean to make it turn.
If the front wheel is not raked forwards then it is much more unstable and you have to work hard to correct for balance.
2007-03-25 09:24:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two principles of physics explain how a bike works. First, angular momentum, the same force at work in a gyroscope, makes wheels want to keep turning in the same direction and position as they have been. So as your bike wheels spin underneath you, they're actually helping you stay upright as their angular momentum resists changes in the bike's upright position. Second, because of the way bicycles are constructed, inertia swings the upper part of a bicycle away from the center of a turn, even as the front wheel dips into the turn, keeping the bike in an upright position.
2007-03-25 17:01:38 · answer #2 · answered by 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bicycle wheels in motion exhibit a characteristic known as "Rigidity in Space." Which is also common in Gyroscopes. A disk that is spinning wants to maintain the plane in which it is in.
2007-03-25 16:36:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, there are two or three different applications of the principles of conservation of momentum going on there. And some gyroscopy (angular momentum).
2007-03-25 16:19:06 · answer #4 · answered by gabluesmanxlt 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Angular momentum in the wheels pushes it upright.
2007-03-25 16:17:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
centrifugal force from the two wheels help you stay a balance
2007-03-25 16:17:31 · answer #6 · answered by MrKnowItAll 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's called balance!
2007-03-25 16:17:21 · answer #7 · answered by Answermaster101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah , its called balance pure and simple , like me ! for the most part anyways .
2007-03-25 16:22:28 · answer #8 · answered by dontcallitthat 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Inertia / momentum.
2007-03-25 16:16:49 · answer #9 · answered by Mickey Mouse Spears 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe its because you keep moving, and you balance yourself while riding it. =)
2007-03-25 16:17:19 · answer #10 · answered by ☆Danielle☆ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋