Gear Ratio in Bicycles using Rotational Motion

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Changing gears on a bicycle alters the radius of the disc being pedaled, affecting the angular velocity and linear speed of the bike. This adjustment allows the rider to maintain a consistent pedaling speed while increasing the speed of the rear wheel, thanks to the torque transmitted through the chain. The interaction between the rear tire and the ground generates friction, which propels the bike forward by preventing slippage. When pedaling stops, the bike eventually halts due to frictional forces acting against motion, including air resistance and internal friction in the bike's components. Understanding these dynamics clarifies how gear ratios influence bicycle speed and performance.
  • #61
andyrk said:
Why should two gears connected by the same chain rotate with the same torque?
As Russ said, the torques are not the same. You would already know this if had followed my suggestion in post #58 and drawn the free body diagrams that I indicated. This is a very straightforward system to analyze if you use the free body diagrams. Show us what you can do. On the other hand, if you feel that you have advanced beyond the point where you need to use free body diagrams, I think you will now agree that you haven't.

Chet
 
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  • #62
Chestermiller said:
As Russ said, the torques are not the same. You would already know this if had followed my suggestion in post #58 and drawn the free body diagrams that I indicated. This is a very straightforward system to analyze if you use the free body diagrams. Show us what you can do. On the other hand, if you feel that you have advanced beyond the point where you need to use free body diagrams, I think you will now agree that you haven't.

Chet
No I can understand it by drawing the FBD. But I am studying this just for fun and I am lazy, so I don't want to bother with FBD and instead understand it just by discussion. But if that won't make me understand this completely, then I would have no other option than to draw the FBD. But I am just waiting till then.
 
  • #63
andyrk said:
No I can understand it by drawing the FBD. But I am studying this just for fun and I am lazy, so I don't want to bother with FBD and instead understand it just by discussion. But if that won't make me understand this completely, then I would have no other option than to draw the FBD. But I am just waiting till then.
You've already waited too long. Your admitted laziness has cost those of us who are trying to help you lots of our valuable time. Doesn't that matter to you?

Chet
 
  • #64
Semi-rhetorical question: it matters to us.

We've been humoring you based on the possibility that you might be young or slow, but lazy is something we can't abide.

This thread has gone around in circles long enough and is therefore locked. Tomorrow, when you have another question on the subject, reread the thread; I suspect you will find that it has already been answered.
 

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