The Physics Behind Skiing
The Physics Of Skiing
Skiing With Friction
Over Christmas break, I went skiing at Loon Mountain. I decided to investigate different types of physics that are apparent while skiing. I noticed physics was evident in various aspects of skiing. Physics also allows skiers to easily identify the key principles in executing certain moves and tricks.
Skiing With Friction
The motion of a skier is determined by the speed, energy and frictional forcers acting on his/her body. In downhill skiing, the skier accelerates based on the force of gravity, which is then converted to kinetic energy. Some of this energy is lost to heat because of friction.
Kinetic friction is one kind of friction that acts on the skier between the skis and the snow. The friction acts in the opposite direction of the skier's motion, ultimately slowing the velocity of the skier and lessens the kinetic energy. In order to increase speed and decrease friction, wax is applied to bottom of skis in order to reduce the coefficient of friction (μ).
I analyzed my friend coming down the mountain and tried to find his acceleration and velocity. For a 120 lb skier, going down the mountain at a 25° pitch. (I ignored any weather conditions and air resistance). The coefficient of kinetic friction (μ) between skis and the snow is .120.
Ultimately, it was found that from rest the skier accelerated at 3.08m/s^2 to a velocity of 15.4m/s.
A Skier's Projectile Motion Off a Jump
Going off jumps is common for many skiers. These jumps can be pretty high and send the skier pretty far. To determine the projectile motion of a skier going off a jump. The time, velocity and angle of the jump are needed.
At loon the jumps are about 3 meters high and are set at an angle of 35°. Starting from rest, my friend Tyler went over the jump and was in the air for 7 seconds. Using this information and other data collected I analyzed his jump and found that he ended up 26.04 meter away from where he started.
Overall, skiing is a fun winter sport that has a lot to do with physics. Almost every aspect of skiing can be analyzed with physics, but I only chose a couple ways.
A Skier's Projectile Motion Off a Jump
Going off jumps is common for many skiers. These jumps can be pretty high and send the skier pretty far. To determine the projectile motion of a skier going off a jump. The time, velocity and angle of the jump are needed.
At loon the jumps are about 3 meters high and are set at an angle of 35°. Starting from rest, my friend Tyler went over the jump and was in the air for 7 seconds. Using this information and other data collected I analyzed his jump and found that he ended up 26.04 meter away from where he started.
Overall, skiing is a fun winter sport that has a lot to do with physics. Almost every aspect of skiing can be analyzed with physics, but I only chose a couple ways.
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