Final answer:
The improvement in the student's bicycle lap timing can be attributed to Newton's 2nd Law of Motion. This law explains the change in motion of a body due to the force acting on it. Reducing resistance factors in a tighter bike allows the cyclist to improve their lap timing with the same applied force.
Step-by-step explanation:
The improvement in the student's lap timing by changing to a tighter bicycle can be attributed to Newton's 2nd Law of Motion. This law states: 'The change of motion of a body is proportional to and in the direction of the force acting on it.' In the context of bicycle riding, switching to a tighter bike likely reduced factors that resisted motion, such as air resistance and friction. Therefore, less force was required to maintain the same speed or to accelerate, allowing the cyclist to improve their lap timing. As Newton's second law of motion can help us make predictions regarding acceleration, force, and mass relationships, it can be applied in this situation. If the tighter bike reduces the force (such as air resistance or friction), the velocity or speed can increase if the same force is applied by the rider to the pedals.
Learn more about Newton's 2nd Law of Motion