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Physics of skiing research paper
Physics of skiing
Physics of skiing
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Gliding is the art of maintaining the flattest ski in order to achieve the lowest possible friction. The forces associated with gliding are fairly straightforward: gravity, friction, and air resistance. Air resistance has several inputs that add to the total resistive force. Friction is caused by the lack of a perfectly smooth surface between the skis and snow on a microscopic level. Think of it as the Rocky Mountain range trying to slide over the Himalayas. On a microscopic level this is what friction is. Two factors contribute to the resistive frictional force; a normal force and the friction coefficient. The normal force is the force holding the person up keeping them from falling towards the center of the earth. On level ground the normal force acts straight up against the acceleration of gravity. On a slope, the normal force is equal to the force of gravity proportional to the cosine of the angle of the slope to horizontal. This portion of gravity attempts to accelerate the person toward the center of the earth, the normal force resists this acceleration. The remaining component of gravity accelerates the body down the hill parallel to the slope, a linear acceleration. It is the coefficient of friction that speed skiers and racers try to reduce to a minimum. The normal force is a constant since it is related to their body weight, which does not change during the course of the race. The coefficient of friction is already reduced from everyday levels because of the snow, but it is the goal of racers to reduce this to an absolute minimum to maximize speed. The coefficient of friction is a unit less ratio of the force of friction to the normal force. The real value for the coefficient is often determined experimentally.... ... middle of paper ... ...and the force normal to the shear plane. These two forces again result in the same resultant force but are rotated into the shear plane. The angle of rotation into the shear plane is phi in above second diagram. Phi is the edge angle minus the angle in the triangle of the normal force(N) and the friction force(F) on the ski divided by 2. This can be seen in the first diagram. The centripetal force can be found using the above equations in the second diagram: Fc=Fs*cos(phi)+Fn*sin(phi) Fn=Fs/tan(O-b-F) The Fc is the failing point at which the racer begins to slide the ski and lose speed. When a racer does balance the speed, radius, and other factors to maximize the centripetal force and acceleration, up to 2.5 Gs of acceleration can be achieved. Downhill ski racing is a ballet and balancing act of the laws of physics to be the fastest person down the hill.
Whether zipping along a winding trail, flying through the open flats, or powering up a steep hill snowmachines and the rider need to use physics to stay in control of the machine and themselves. The main compenents are the track, engine, skis and riding.
It is what makes the wheel spin instead of just to slide on the ground. If there were to be no friction such as ice the wheels would not spin and the whole car would just slide on the ice. With all the friction the car could not move at all. With the right amount of friction which we had to apply to the car the wheels will move and the car will go at a fast constant speed. This way we used friction in the right amount and it helped our mouse trap car go the distance and meet the requirement of one set of free spinning wheels. This is how friction is used in the mouse trap
Avalanches kill back country recreationalists every year, including skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, and snowmachiners. All back country users should have knowledge of the basic physics of avalanches to help them evaluate local and regional potential for slides. The foundation of this knowledge comes from understanding how the surrounding environmental conditions in previous weeks, previous days, and the day in question all contribute to snow stability or instability, and how specific factors affect snow on a micro-scale, which determines how snow slopes will behave on a macro-scale. There are two major types of avalanches (excluding debris avalanches from broken cornices and ice formations). These are point releases, or loose snow slides, and slab avalanches. While point releases can be dangerous and should be avoided, slab avalanches are much more catastrophic and account for most of the backcountry avalanche disasters involving humans. Basic physics of point releases are discussed here, followed by a discussion on the basic physics of slab avalanches, and how external factors contribute to the stability or instability of a snow covered slope.
Now that you are at the top of a slope that is comfortable for you, sit down and strap both feet into the snowboard. Now, with your snowboard perpendicular to the slope, stand up so you are looking down. Your weight will be mostly on your heels. Now point your toes on both feet just a little bit and you will start to slide down the hill. Always watch where you are going, and make sure that your hands are slightly away from your body.
Cascading down frozen mountain, crystallized flakes of chilling water gracing my face with it’s presence; free falling sixty feet, only to be saved by a pillow of snow: this is why I snowboard. The pure rush of adrenaline from the sport has turned what started as a backyard hobby into an Olympic event. Though you may think snowboarding is just a board strapped to your feet; the engineering and history of it have a much richer back story.
He had been dreaming of skateboarding down the snowy mountain when he bolted two wood skis together side-by-side. At that time, they called it snurfing. The snurfboard started out looking like a fat ski with a rope tied to the nose of the board to help the rider keep their balance. The rope was more for looks as it didn’t help at all. Crashes were inevitable and they happened often.
As for choosing equipment, the skier should pick out poles that are as tall as
the length of the slope can be used to calculate the speed of the car
The circle of traction is a important racing concept with applications from physics. From newtons equation f=ma we know that the more force we apply to an o...
Stevespanglerscience. “The Science of Olympic Speed Skating.” Steve Spangler Science, Stevespanglerscience Https://Www.stevespanglerscience.com/Wp-Content/Uploads/2017/07/Steve-Spangler-Science-Logo-435.Png, 22 Feb. 2010,
There are two different types of frictional coefficients, static and kinetic. The coefficient of static friction is the frictional force that must be overcome before any motion commences. It is caused by the minuscule contact points between our tires and the riding surface (There is frictional losses present in every mechanical connection on the bike but these will not be addressed within the scope of this article).
Skiing, as a sport has existed since the early 1800’s, although depictions of skis have been discovered throughout Europe dating back thousands of years. Skiing as a recreational activity became popularized in the mid 1800’s however it did not arrive in the United States until around 1841. Once the concept of skiing reached the states, it took off. The United States continued to power advances in skiing for decades, with the introduction of rope tows, then actual ski lifts. By the 1950’s several ski areas had begun snowmaking and trail grooming, two American born inovatio9ns which ensured better skiing conditions and launched the US far ahead of Europe in ski technology (Fry 38). Skiing continued to evolve throughout the 1900’s, constantly changing and adapting to improve athlete performance and recreational experiences. Skis and equipment changed quickly and frequently, ski bindings, which...
The average driver doesn’t think about what keeps their car moving or what keeps them on the road, but that’s because they don’t have to. The average driver doesn’t have to worry about having enough downforce to keep them on the road or if they will reach the adhesive limit of their car’s tires around a turn. These are the things are the car designers, professional drivers, racing pit crews, serious sports car owners, and physicist think about. Physics are an important part of every sports and racing car design. The stylish curves and ground effects on sports cars are usually there not just for form but function as well allowing you to go speeds over 140 mph in most serious sports cars and remain on the road and in reasonable control.
Preventing skidding during braking increases the drivers control of the car and greatly reduces the chance of a crash.
Challenge plays an essential role in defining a sport; it provides the individual with the feeling of achievement in success. Skiing poses challenge even in its simplest foundations. Skiing on a poor quality hill, with icy snow and poor upkeep can sometimes create more challenge than a well-groomed slope. Skiing in the backcountry away from lifts and other people in freshly fallen snow provides an opportunity for the best of skiers to test t...