You
are
riding
a
sled
across
frictionless
ice.
It
has
been
given
an
initial
push
and
is
now
traveling
at
a
constant
velocity,
in
a
straight
line.
Snow
is
falling
vertically
(as
seen
by
a
person
standing
still
on
the
ice),
and
the
snow
is
accumulating
on
the
sled.
You
have
three
strategies
for
trying
to
keep
the
sled
moving
as
fast
as
possible:
a)
Sweep
the
snow
off
the
sled
so
that
it
leaves
the
sled
in
the
direction
perpendicular
to
the
sled's
motion,
as
seen
by
you
in
the
reference
frame
of
the
sled.
b)
Sweep
the
snow
off
the
sled
so
that
it
leaves
the
sled
in
the
direction
perpendicular
to
the
sled's
motion,
as
seen
by
you
in
the
reference
frame
of
someone
standing
still
on
the
ice.
c)
Do
nothing.
Rank
the
strategies
in
effectiveness
and
explain
your
reasoning.
This is much too difficult to read.
SRRY
You are riding a sled across frictionless ice. It has been given an initial push and is now traveling at a constant velocity, in a straight line.Snow is falling vertically (as seen by a person standing still on the ice), and the snow is accumulating on the sled. You have three strategies fortrying to keep the sled moving as fast as possible:
a)Sweep the snow off the sled so that it leaves the sled in the direction perpendicular to the sled's motion, as seen by you in the reference frame of the sled.
b) Sweep the snow off the sled so that it leaves the sled in the direction perpendicular to the sled's
motion,as seen by you in the reference frame of someone standing still on the ice.
c) Do nothing.
Rank the strategies in effectiveness and explain your reasoning.
To rank the strategies in effectiveness, we need to consider the principles of physics at play in this scenario.
First, let's understand the basic concept. The sled is moving at a constant velocity in a straight line on frictionless ice. Snow is falling vertically, accumulating on the sled. The goal is to keep the sled moving as fast as possible.
a) Strategy: Sweep the snow off the sled in the direction perpendicular to the sled's motion, as seen by you in the reference frame of the sled.
To analyze this strategy, we need to consider Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When you sweep the snow off the sled, you apply a force in one direction, and according to Newton's third law, an equal and opposite force is applied on you. Since the sled is moving at a constant velocity, no net external force is acting on it (due to the absence of friction). Therefore, sweeping the snow off the sled in the sled's reference frame does not impact its motion. This strategy would be ineffective in maintaining the sled's speed.
b) Strategy: Sweep the snow off the sled in the direction perpendicular to the sled's motion, as seen by you in the reference frame of someone standing still on the ice.
In this strategy, you are now considering the reference frame of someone standing still on the ice. When you sweep the snow off the sled, as seen from this reference frame, you are applying a force in the direction perpendicular to the sled's motion. According to Newton's third law, an equal and opposite force is applied on the sled. Since there is no friction to oppose the sliding motion of the sled, the force from the snow removal will not impact its velocity. Therefore, this strategy would also be ineffective in maintaining the sled's speed.
c) Strategy: Do nothing.
In this strategy, you choose not to sweep off the snow from the sled. Since the sled is moving at a constant velocity on frictionless ice, and no external forces are acting on it, doing nothing will maintain its speed. The accumulation of snow on the sled will not affect its motion since there is no opposing force due to the absence of friction.
Therefore, the most effective strategy for keeping the sled moving as fast as possible would be strategy c) Do nothing.