Question

When you accelerate your bicycle, in which direction the friction will act on the rear wheel?

• A. Opposite to motion of bicycle
• B. Towards the motion of bicycle
• C. Friction doesn’t act
• D. Depends upon the mass of the cyclist

Answer 1

The correct option is B Towards the motion of bicycle

Friction opposes Relative Motion between the surfaces in contact.

In a bicycle, pedalling is done on the rear wheel. This means that we rotate the rear wheel to move forward. As the rear wheel rotates faster, the point on the wheel tends to move backwards. Friction due to the ground hence, acts in the forward direction to accelerate the bicycle.