On your bikes
In this activity, students measure speed and drag for a person on a bike to determine the effects of aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance on a cyclist’s maximum speed.
Aerodynamics and drag
Dr Mark Jermy and Lindsey Underwood explain what aerodynamics is and how it relates to competitive cycling.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
measure distance and time to calculate a cyclist’s maximum speed
describe what might affect aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance
experiment to find out how the maximum speed that a cyclist can reach is affected by different drag and rolling resistances
measure the forces of drag and rolling resistance for a cyclist on a bike being pulled at a constant speed
explain how forces need to be balanced for a cyclist to travel at a constant speed.
What is rolling resistance?
Find out why a tyre has some resistance to the motion of a bike as it rolls over the ground.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do
extension ideas
student worksheet.
Related content
Explore some of the main science ideas and concepts relating to this activity:
Activity idea
This activity is designed to help students develop a basic understanding of speed and acceleration.
