Skip over navigation
Cambridge University Faculty of Mathematics NRich logo
menu search
  • Teachers expand_more
    • Early years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
    • Events
    • Professional development
  • Students expand_more
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
  • Parents expand_more
    • Early Years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
  • Problem-Solving Schools
  • About NRICH expand_more
    • About us
    • Impact stories
    • Support us
    • Our funders
    • Contact us
  • search

Or search by topic

Number and algebra

  • The Number System and Place Value
  • Calculations and Numerical Methods
  • Fractions, Decimals, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion
  • Properties of Numbers
  • Patterns, Sequences and Structure
  • Algebraic expressions, equations and formulae
  • Coordinates, Functions and Graphs

Geometry and measure

  • Angles, Polygons, and Geometrical Proof
  • 3D Geometry, Shape and Space
  • Measuring and calculating with units
  • Transformations and constructions
  • Pythagoras and Trigonometry
  • Vectors and Matrices

Probability and statistics

  • Handling, Processing and Representing Data
  • Probability

Working mathematically

  • Thinking mathematically
  • Developing positive attitudes
  • Cross-curricular contexts

Advanced mathematics

  • Decision Mathematics and Combinatorics
  • Advanced Probability and Statistics
  • Mechanics
  • Calculus

For younger learners

  • Early Years Foundation Stage

Motorbike Momentum

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow star
  • Problem
  • Student Solutions

For the minimum speed, the only force on the bike should be weight at the top. So we can equate weight to the centripetal force required to keep the bike moving in a circular arc:
$$mg = m\omega^2r \quad\therefore \omega = \sqrt{\frac{g}{r}}$$
where r is the position of the particle we have modeled, i.e. 2m from the centre.

So the speed at the bottom of the wheels is $3\omega$
And if the edges of the wheels are moving at $3\omega$ then the angluar speed of the wheels is $$\omega_{wheels} = v_{edge}/r_{wheel} = 3\omega/0.2 = 15\omega = 15\sqrt{g/2} = 33.20\textrm{ rad/s} =317.1\textrm{ rev/min}\;.$$

If you draw a free body diagram of the particle at a general position $\theta$ measured from the downward vertical, you can see that the reaction force is $R = mg\cos{\theta} + m\omega^2r$. The 2nd term is constant, so the graph is just $mg\cos{2\pi/\omega}$ shifted up by $mg$, i.e. sitting on the x-axis. The period is $2\pi/\omega$, where $\omega$ is $\sqrt{\frac{g}{r}}\;.$

You may also like

Whirlyball

Whirl a conker around in a horizontal circle on a piece of string. What is the smallest angular speed with which it can whirl?

Earth Orbit

Follow in the steps of Newton and find the path that the earth follows around the sun.

Gravity Paths

Where will the spaceman go when he falls through these strange planetary systems?

  • Tech help
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Sign up to our newsletter
  • Twitter X logo

The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

University of Cambridge logo NRICH logo