The stability of a bicycle is due to angular momentum of the wheels when the bicycle is moving forward. The stability is due to the net angular momentum vector, which
A) points upward, perpendicular to the surface of Earth, thereby canceling the weight of the bicycle and rider.
B) points to the rider's left.
C) increases when the bicycle slows down due to conservation of energy.
D) is actually zero, since the back wheel cancels the angular momentum of the front wheel.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The net angular momentum vector points to the rider's left. This is known as gyroscopic precession, which is the phenomenon where the front wheel of the bicycle rotates in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the applied force (in this case, gravity and the weight of the rider). This rotation creates an angular momentum vector that points to the left, which helps to stabilize the bicycle.

The Stability of a Bicycle Is Due to Angular Momentum