- #1
sinisterstuf
- 7
- 0
Hi, I'm new to the forum so I hope this is the right place to post this, I actually joined to ask this question. I found something in the archive through a google search. The thread can be found at: https://www.physicsforums.com/archive/index.php/t-117265.html
Some of the things in there were hard for me to understand, like how you get the 1-cos(t) from sin(t) , because we haven't covered integration in math yet, so any simple explanation of that would be appreciated.
However, (also considering the graph provided by Integral @ http://home.comcast.net/~Integral50/Math/sinforce.jpg ) my main question is: do you think that this applies to bicycling? In other words, considering how bicycle pedals work, CAN the forward force on the bicycle be represented by a function like f(t)=sin(t), where t=time. Obviously if that is true then it follows that the other 2 curves on the graph are true for bicycles aswell. The most important thing is wether or not the force is represented by a sine curve. Also, should the sine curve be moved up so that the trough only touches the x-axis without intersecting it because (and correct me if I'm wrong) but I don't think there is a time when the forward force on the bicycle is less than 0, i.e. force in backward direction.
I think the question is straightforward but is there anything that I need to explain more?
Thanks in advance
-sinisterstuf
Some of the things in there were hard for me to understand, like how you get the 1-cos(t) from sin(t) , because we haven't covered integration in math yet, so any simple explanation of that would be appreciated.
However, (also considering the graph provided by Integral @ http://home.comcast.net/~Integral50/Math/sinforce.jpg ) my main question is: do you think that this applies to bicycling? In other words, considering how bicycle pedals work, CAN the forward force on the bicycle be represented by a function like f(t)=sin(t), where t=time. Obviously if that is true then it follows that the other 2 curves on the graph are true for bicycles aswell. The most important thing is wether or not the force is represented by a sine curve. Also, should the sine curve be moved up so that the trough only touches the x-axis without intersecting it because (and correct me if I'm wrong) but I don't think there is a time when the forward force on the bicycle is less than 0, i.e. force in backward direction.
I think the question is straightforward but is there anything that I need to explain more?
Thanks in advance
-sinisterstuf
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