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

54, 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: Determine the formula for frictional force

The formula for the force of friction is \( F_{f}=\mu F_{N} \), where \( \mu \) is the coefficient of friction and \( F_{N} \) is the normal force.

Step2: Substitute the given values

Given \( \mu = 0.05 \) and \( F_{N}=850\ N \) (assuming the normal force is equal to the weight as there is no vertical acceleration on the horizontal surface, contrary to the incorrect \( 42.5\ N \) written in the image).

$$ F_{f}=\mu F_{N}=(0.05)(850\ N) $$

Step3: Calculate the frictional force

$$ F_{f}=42.5\ N $$

Answer:

\( 42.5\ N \)