Final answer:
The correct action when the rear tire locks on a good traction surface is to release and re-apply the rear brake to avoid loss of control. An understanding of static and kinetic friction helps explain why controlled braking can prevent jolts during stops and ensure stability on bicycles during turns.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you lock the rear tire on a good traction surface, the appropriate action would be to release and re-apply the rear brake. Holding the brake locked can lead to a loss of control and potentially an accident, especially if the vehicle begins to skid. Releasing the brake pedal allows the wheels to rotate again, restoring your ability to steer, and then re-applying the brake helps you to stop in a controlled manner. Similarly, understanding the relationship between static and kinetic friction is crucial when operating any vehicle. Static friction occurs between non-moving surfaces, helping a vehicle remain stationary or preventing sliding during a turn, whereas kinetic friction occurs between moving surfaces, such as when a car is decelerating while brakes are applied.
To achieve a smooth stop, one must ease off the brake pedal as the car comes to rest to transition from kinetic to static friction without a sudden jolt. This is analogous to the braking process of the rear tire on a vehicle: controlled application of the brakes enables static friction to dominate, leading to a smooth stop. When it comes to riding a bicycle, persons must lean at the correct angle during turns; the force exerted by the ground sustains the rider's stability by applying friction parallel to the road surface for centripetal force, and the vertical normal force which counteracts the bicycle's weight.