Answer
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.
enough reposts. Clearly no one is around who feels able to help you on this one. Surely in the last several hours, you have had time to come up with some thoughts of your own ...
I just posted a reply a couple of posts below.
1. The skier travels at a constant speed because the forces acting on the skier are balanced. In this case, the tension in the wire pulling the skier up the slope (400N) counteracts the force of gravity pulling the skier downward. The force of gravity acts vertically downward and can be split into two components: the component perpendicular to the slope (which is balanced by the normal force exerted by the slope) and the component parallel to the slope. The force of tension in the wire acts at an angle to the slope, which can be split into two components as well: the component parallel to the slope (which assists in countering the force of gravity acting downhill) and the component perpendicular to the slope (which does not affect the skier's motion). Since the vertical forces are balanced and the net force parallel to the slope is zero (400N of tension uphill balances the force of gravity downhill), the skier remains at a constant speed.
2. If the tension in the wire is suddenly increased, there are two possible effects on the skier. First, the skier may experience an acceleration. If the tension is increased significantly, the force pulling the skier uphill will exceed the force of gravity, resulting in a net force acting on the skier in the uphill direction. This will cause the skier to accelerate in that direction, potentially leading to an increase in speed.
Second, the skier may experience an increase in the normal force exerted by the slope. As the tension in the wire increases, the vertical component of the tension force also increases. This greater upward force can push the skier harder onto the slope, increasing the normal force exerted by the slope. This increased normal force can affect the skier's frictional force with the slope, potentially increasing the resistance to motion. As a result, the skier may experience a greater tendency to slow down or even lose traction if the friction force becomes insufficient to counteract other forces acting on the skier.
In both cases, it is important to note that the skier's motion will depend on the specific circumstances of the tension increase, the slope conditions, and other factors that may influence the skier's movement.