In: Physics
A skier is skiing downhill at constant speed. The slope is inclined at 10o with respect to the horizontal. The skier’s mass is 65 kg, what is the value of the coefficient of kinetic friction between the skis and the snow?
a. |
0.98 |
|
b. |
0.18 |
|
c. |
5.7 |
|
d. |
0.17 |
Gravitational acceleration = g = 9.81 m/s2
Mass of the skier = m = 65 kg
Angle of the incline = = 10o
Normal force on the skier from the incline = N
Coefficient of kinetic friction between the skis and the snow =
Friction force on the skier = f
f = N
The skier is skiing down at constant speed therefore the skier has no acceleration and hence all the forces on the skier are balanced.
From the free body diagram,
N = mgCos
f = mgCos
mgSin = f
mgSin = mgCos
Tan =
= Tan(10)
= 0.176
Rounding off,
= 0.18
Coefficient of kinetic friction between the skis and the snow = 0.18