What forces act on the puck as it skids across the ice
only friction and gravity, same as with any object moving along some surface.
Maybe you can add in air resistance, if that is of concern.
When a puck skids across the ice, several forces come into play. The main forces acting on the puck are:
1. Friction Force: The friction force acts in the opposite direction to the motion of the puck. As the puck slides across the ice, there is friction between the puck and the ice surface. This force slows down the puck's motion and eventually brings it to a stop.
2. Normal Force: The normal force is the force exerted perpendicular to the surface of contact between the puck and the ice. When the puck is on the ice, the weight of the puck pushes downward, and in response, the ice pushes back with an equal and opposite force. This normal force helps maintain the contact between the puck and the ice, allowing friction to act and affecting the puck's motion.
3. Air Resistance: Although the impact of air resistance is relatively minor in comparison to the other forces, it still plays a role in slowing down the puck's movement. As the puck moves through the air, it experiences resistance due to air molecules colliding with its surface, causing a drag force.
To summarize, the main forces acting on a puck as it skids across the ice are friction force, which opposes its motion, the normal force, which keeps it in contact with the ice, and air resistance, which slows it down due to the drag force.