Final answer:
The most typical action when a cyclist is at rest and the traffic light turns green is for the cyclist to start pedaling. This involves the principles of physics like inertia and acceleration and is a practical application of Newton's first law of motion.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a cyclist is at rest at a traffic light and the light turns green, the typical response would be for the cyclist to start pedaling in order to begin moving. While it is possible for a cyclist to wait for other vehicles to move first, get off the bike, or continue to stay at rest, the most direct response to the traffic light changing to green with the intent of proceeding through the intersection is to begin pedaling. This is an example of an object changing from a state of rest to a state of motion, which illustrates some key concepts in physics, including inertia and acceleration.
This can be further explained with Newton's first law of motion, which states that an object at rest will stay at rest, and an object in motion will stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. In this case, the cyclist applies a force to the pedals, causing the bike to accelerate from rest and move forward. Understanding these principles is also critical when solving problems involving displacement and velocity, such as a cyclist coasting down one hill and up another or the acceleration of a bus as described in other examples above.