Rolling is a combination of linear and rotating motion. When a wheel makes one full rotation, it moves
forward a distance equal to the wheel's circumference.
a. A child's first bicycle has 12-inch tires. These tires have a 6-inch radius. How far does the bicycle move
forward each time the wheel makes one complete rotation? Give your answer in meters.
(1 inch = 0.022 meters)
b. A woman's ten-speed bicycle has 27-inch tires (13.5-inch radius). How far does this bicycle move
forward each time the wheel makes one complete rotation? Give your answer in meters.
6C Circular Motion
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Backnd Practice
c. How many times does the child's bicycle tire have to rotate for the bicycle to travel 1 kilometer?
d. How many times does the woman's bicycle tire have to rotate for the bicycle to travel 1 kilometer?
A wheel moves forward one circumference in one rotation
Contact
point
Circumference
of wheel