Question

a student and the waxed skis he is wearing have a combined weight of 850 newtons. the skier travels down a snow - covered hill and then glides to the east across a snow - covered, horizontal surface.

1. determine the magnitude of the normal force exerted by the snow on the skis as the skier glides across the horizontal surface. 1
2. 55. calculate the magnitude of the force of friction acting on the skis as the skier glides across the snow - covered, horizontal surface. show all work, including the equation and substitution with units. 2

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the vertical forces

When the skier glides on a horizontal surface, in the vertical direction, the normal force \(F_N\) balances the weight \(W\) of the skier (and skis). According to Newton's second law \(F_{net,y}=ma_y\), and since \(a_y = 0\) (no vertical acceleration), we have \(F_N=W\).

Step2: Calculate the frictional force

The formula for the force of friction is \(F_f=\mu F_N\). We know from step 1 that \(F_N = 850\space N\) (assuming the value of \(42.5\space N\) in the original wrong - calculation is a mistake, because on a horizontal surface \(F_N = W\) when \(a_y=0\)), and if the coefficient of friction \(\mu = 0.05\).

Substitute \(F_N = 850\space N\) and \(\mu=0.05\) into the formula \(F_f=\mu F_N\):

\(F_f=(0.05)(850\space N)\)

\(F_f = 42.5\space N\)

Answer:

The magnitude of the normal force \(F_N = 850\space N\). The magnitude of the force of friction \(F_f=42.5\space N\)