Degrees of freedom of "simple bicycle"

Click For Summary
A simple bicycle model can be represented as two wheels connected by a rigid bar, which initially suggests one degree of freedom if the wheels move without sliding. However, allowing the wheels to turn left or right adds two more degrees of freedom, one for each wheel's angle. The discussion highlights that in a general case, a rolling disk without slipping has three degrees of freedom. It's noted that the rear wheel typically does not turn independently from the bicycle's line, which raises questions about whether to consider just one degree of freedom. Additionally, the angle the bicycle makes with the vertical is an important factor to consider in the overall model.
Like Tony Stark
Messages
182
Reaction score
6
Homework Statement
Design a very simple model for a bike and state the number of degrees of freedom
Relevant Equations
Generalized coordinates
Hi
I thought that a bike could be simply modeled as two wheels attached by a rigid bar. If the wheels move without sliding, then there is one degree of freedom: one of the wheels moves and so does the other one since they are rigidly attached by the bar. Then, if the wheels can turn to the right or the left, then there are two more degrees: one angle for each wheel.
Is it ok?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
in general case the rolling disk (without slipping) has three degrees of freedom
just for information
Screenshot from 2021-04-17 09-41-32.png
Screenshot from 2021-04-17 09-41-58.png
 
  • Like
Likes Like Tony Stark and etotheipi
Like Tony Stark said:
Homework Statement:: Design a very simple model for a bike and state the number of degrees of freedom
Relevant Equations:: Generalized coordinates

if the wheels can turn to the right or the left
It would be unusual for the rear wheel to be able to turn away from the line of the bicycle.
 
haruspex said:
It would be unusual for the rear wheel to be able to turn away from the line of the bicycle.
So should I consider just one degree of freedom?
 
Like Tony Stark said:
So should I consider just one degree of freedom?
As @wrobel points put, you also need to consider the angle the bicycle makes to the vertical.
 
Thread 'Correct statement about size of wire to produce larger extension'
The answer is (B) but I don't really understand why. Based on formula of Young Modulus: $$x=\frac{FL}{AE}$$ The second wire made of the same material so it means they have same Young Modulus. Larger extension means larger value of ##x## so to get larger value of ##x## we can increase ##F## and ##L## and decrease ##A## I am not sure whether there is change in ##F## for first and second wire so I will just assume ##F## does not change. It leaves (B) and (C) as possible options so why is (C)...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
2K