GRADES 9-12
AERODYNAMICS OF CYCLING

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Let's examine this situation with another example. You and a friend are walking your St. Bernard dog. Your dog is very large; he weighs more than you do. Your friend is walking next to you. With Permission and Courtesy Of Cislunar Aerospace, Inc. All of a sudden a strong wind begins blowing. At the same time a ball flies by your dog, who decides to chase it. The wind is blowing hard and creating a force against you, pushing you backwards and making it more difficult to walk. Your St. Bernard begins to run, pulling you forward. Oops! Your friend grabs your arm and pulls you sideways. You're being pushed and pulled in several directions. Which way will you go? With Permission and Courtesy Of Cislunar Aerospace, Inc. Remember our example of the tug-of-war teams. The direction and the strength of the tug-of-war force will be dependent on the strength and direction of all of the forces created by both teams added together. Scientists and engineers refer to this as the "sum of all the forces." Let's look at another example. Instead of a St. Bernard you are walking a small dog, like a Chihuahua instead of a St. Bernard. Do you think the direction you will be pulled by the wind, your friend, and your dog will bedifferent? Yes, definitely. Your Chihuahua is not able to pull you forward with the strength and force of the St. Bernard. With Permission and Courtesy Of Cislunar Aerospace, Inc.