In: Physics
Consider a bicycle wheel, radius ? with rim of mass ? and axle of mass ?. The masses of the wheel’s thin spokes are so small that we will neglect them. Initially, the wheel is resting on a horizontal surface, and you hold its axle, a hand on each side of the wheel, so that it doesn’t tip over. At time ? = 0? you exert a horizontal force of magnitude ? on the axle so that the wheel begins to roll without slipping.
a) Determine the wheel’s speed when you have pushed it forward a distance ?.
b) Determine the magnitude of the friction force that the surface exerts on the wheel while you push it.