A 75 kg hockey player glides across the ice on his skates with steel blades. What is the magnitude of the force of friction acting on the skater?
To calculate the magnitude of the force of friction acting on the skater, we need to use the equation:
frictional force = coefficient of friction * normal force
1. First, let's calculate the normal force. The normal force is the force exerted by a surface to support the weight of an object resting on it. In this case, the normal force is equal to the weight of the skater. The weight can be calculated using the formula:
weight = mass * gravitational acceleration
where the mass is 75 kg (given) and the gravitational acceleration is approximately 9.8 m/s^2.
weight = 75 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 = 735 N
So, the normal force acting on the skater is 735 N.
2. Next, we need the coefficient of friction. The coefficient of friction depends on the nature of the two surfaces in contact. Since we are given that the skater glides on ice with steel blades, we can assume a coefficient of friction of around 0.02 between steel and ice.
3. Now we can calculate the frictional force:
frictional force = 0.02 * 735 N = 14.7 N
Therefore, the magnitude of the force of friction acting on the skater is 14.7 N.
To determine the magnitude of the force of friction acting on the skater, we need to know the coefficient of friction between the skates and the ice. This value varies depending on the specific circumstances. Let's assume a typical value of 0.02 for the coefficient of friction between ice and steel.
The force of friction can be calculated using the equation:
Friction force = coefficient of friction * normal force
The normal force is equal to the weight of the skater, which can be calculated by multiplying the mass (75 kg) by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2):
Normal force = mass * acceleration due to gravity
Normal force = 75 kg * 9.8 m/s^2
Normal force = 735 N
Now, we can calculate the force of friction:
Friction force = 0.02 * 735 N
Friction force = 14.7 N
Therefore, the magnitude of the force of friction acting on the skater is 14.7 N.