A skier is pulled up a slope at constant speed. The tension in the wire pulls the skier with a force of 400N that acts at 40 degree to the slope.
1. Explain with reference to the forces acting on he skier why he travels at constant speed.
2.Describe two possible effects on the skier if the tension in the wire is suddenly increased.
The tension in the wire is equal and opposite to the resultant of the weight of the skier, the force up on the skier from the slope, and the friction between the skis and the snow.
if you increase the tension the skier may just speed up or may leave the snow. It depends on the mass of the skier and the slope.
1. The skier travels at a constant speed because the net force acting on the skier is zero. In this scenario, there are two main forces acting on the skier: the gravitational force (weight) pulling the skier downward and the tension in the wire pulling the skier upward along the slope.
Since the skier is pulled up the slope at a constant speed, we can deduce that the magnitude of the tension force (400N) is equal to the magnitude of the gravitational force pulling the skier downwards. This is known as equilibrium. However, it's essential to consider the perpendicular components of these forces.
To balance the gravitational force, the tension force needs to have a horizontal component and a vertical component. The vertical component of the tension force cancels out the vertical gravitational force, preventing the skier from sinking into the slope. Meanwhile, the horizontal component of the tension force counteracts the skier's tendency to slide down the slope, maintaining a constant speed.
Thus, due to the balance between the vertical and horizontal components of the tension force and the gravitational force, the skier travels at a constant speed.
2. If the tension in the wire is suddenly increased, there are two possible effects on the skier:
a) The skier may accelerate: Since the tension force is responsible for pulling the skier up the slope, an increase in tension will result in a larger force acting on the skier. As a result, the net force on the skier will no longer be zero, and the skier will experience an acceleration in the direction of the net force. This acceleration will cause the skier to speed up.
b) The skier may lose balance: An abrupt increase in tension can also affect the skier's stability and balance. If the tension force becomes too strong or unevenly distributed, it can exert an unbalanced torque on the skier. This torque can cause the skier to rotate or lose their balance, potentially leading to a fall or loss of control.
In both cases, it is crucial to maintain a proper balance between the tension force, the skier's weight, and other external forces to ensure safe and controlled skiing.