# A cyclist is riding along a flat road and begins to slow down when she stops pedalling. Explain why the cyclist decelerates and describe what eventually happens to her motion.

> OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249) — P2.3 Forces in action · Explain · 4 marks

> A cyclist stops pedalling whilst travelling along a flat, straight road. She does not apply the brakes.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Friction / air resistance / drag acts on the cyclist (in the opposite direction to motion)
2. When she stops pedalling there is no longer a driving / thrust force
3. There is a resultant force acting backwards / in the opposite direction to motion, causing deceleration
4. The cyclist eventually comes to rest / stops (because the resistive forces bring her to a halt)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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