A 75kg 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 if the coefficient of friction is 0.01.
The force of friction can be calculated using the formula:
Force of friction = coefficient of friction × normal force
We are given that the coefficient of friction is 0.01. The normal force is equal to the weight of the skater, which can be calculated using the formula:
Weight = mass × gravitational acceleration
The mass of the skater is 75 kg and the gravitational acceleration is approximately 9.8 m/s².
Weight = 75 kg × 9.8 m/s² = 735 N
Now we can substitute the values into the formula for the force of friction:
Force of friction = 0.01 × 735 N = 7.35 N
Therefore, the magnitude of the force of friction acting on the skater is 7.35 N.