Riding a Bicycle: What Will Happen?

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When a boy riding a bicycle accelerates to 15 m/s and then stops pedaling, the key question is what happens next. The discussion centers around the concepts of inertia and friction, with participants debating whether the bike will immediately slow down or continue moving. The consensus leans towards the idea that the road is frictionless, implying that the bicycle would continue moving due to inertia without slowing down. The confusion arises from the wording of the question, particularly regarding the effects of forces acting on the bicycle. Ultimately, the conclusion is that, in a frictionless scenario, the bicycle will not slow down immediately.
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Homework Statement



A boy is riding a bicycle on a straight, level and smooth road. There is no wind. He accelerates to 15m/s, and then suddenly stops pedaling. What will happen?

a) immediately begins to slow because of inertia
b) slows because of inertia, but not immediately
c) slows because of his mass (with force = 0)
d) continues moving because of inertia
e) continues moving because the pedaling force persists

Homework Equations



(Law of inertia)

The Attempt at a Solution



I know that the answer is either a or b. I believe that he will immediately slow, so I am leaning towards a. Can someone help please?
 
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I don't like the way this question is worded. But, what happens to objects when there is no force acting on them?
 
The wording is somewhat vague.
As we are both guessing, "straight, level and smooth road" likely equates to frictionless surface, otherwise the question would not have mentioned what type of road it was. A road is a road, unless it is frictionless.
 
So therefore it is a frictionless surface and the bike would not slow down. Correct?
 
Yes you are correct.
 

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