Asked by Anonymous

Why can you exert a greater force on the pedals of a bike if you pull up on the handlebars?

Does it have anything to do with one of Newton's 3 laws? I'm not sure how to approach this question.

Answers

Answered by Damon
Stand on a scale and push on the ceiling :)

Third law. Force by man up on bars --> force down on man

Sum forces on the man who is not accelerating up or down

m g down + handlebar force down

force up on man = pedal force

net force = 0 so no change of momentum (F = m a = 0)
so

0 = m g down + handlebar force down - pedal up
so
pedal force UP on man = mg + handlebar force
so third law, equal and opposite force DOWN on pedal = m g + handlebar force
Answered by Anonymous
Thank you very much!
Answered by Damon
You are welcome.
There are no AI answers yet. The ability to request AI answers is coming soon!

Related Questions