How Do Bikes Stay Up?
Thanks to littlebits.com for sponsoring this video – use promo code MinutePhysics for $20 off A HUGE thanks to Wren Weichman (@wrenthereaper) for helping with the 3D bike animation, Michael...
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Bicycles are one of the most efficient and versatile human-powered means of transportationwe have yet devised. But perhaps even more incredible than humans riding bicycles isthe fact that bicycles can ride themselves. Yes, once they’re set in motion at a sufficientspeed, bicycles can stay upright without any human intervention.A common misconception is that bikes stay up because of conservation of angular momentum– that is, since the wheels are spinning, if the bike tips to one side there’ll besome sort of countering force from the wheels that keeps the bike upright. But there’san easy way to see this explanation is wrong: simply lock the handlebars in place and amoving bike will fall over just as easily as a stationary one.Another common misconception is that...
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Bicycles are one of the most efficient and versatile human-powered means of transportationwe have yet devised. But perhaps even more incredible than humans riding bicycles isthe fact that bicycles can ride themselves. Yes, once they’re set in motion at a sufficientspeed, bicycles can stay upright without any human intervention.A common misconception is that bikes stay up because of conservation of angular momentum– that is, since the wheels are spinning, if the bike tips to one side there’ll besome sort of countering force from the wheels that keeps the bike upright. But there’san easy way to see this explanation is wrong: simply lock the handlebars in place and amoving bike will fall over just as easily as a stationary one.Another common misconception is that...
