A water-skier is being pulled at a steady speed in a straight line. her mass plus the mass of the ski is 65 kg. the pull of the tow rope on her is 520 N.
a...i) What is the vertical component Y of the push of the water on the ski??
....ii) What is the horizontal component X of the push of the water on the ski.( ignore air resistance)
....iii) Component X and the 520 N towing force form a clockwise couple acting on the water skier. explain how can she remain in equilibrium as she is towed along?
i) i suppose that the water behaves like a solid so the force of the water, componentY, is m*g=65kg*9.81m/s2
ii) the force the water is only vertical and vanishes with the weight force(if no sinks or flies)
iii)Component X is 0 the water-skier feels only the force of the rope
To answer these questions, we need to understand the concept of forces and the principles of equilibrium.
i) The vertical component Y of the push of the water on the ski can be calculated using the equation F = m * a, where F is the force, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration. In this case, since the skier is being pulled at a steady speed, the acceleration is zero. So, the vertical component Y of the push of the water on the ski is also zero. This means that the water exerts no vertical force on the ski.
ii) The horizontal component X of the push of the water on the ski is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the towing force of 520 N. This can be inferred from Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. So, the horizontal component X of the push of the water on the ski is also 520 N, but in the opposite direction.
iii) The component X and the 520 N towing force form a clockwise couple acting on the water skier. However, for the skier to remain in equilibrium (meaning no net force or torque acting on her), there must be an equal and opposite torque acting on the skier. This can be achieved by the skier adjusting her body position and using her weight distribution and muscle strength.
To explain in more detail: As the skier is being towed along, she can lean slightly to counterbalance the torque created by the towing force. By leaning in the opposite direction of the torque, she shifts her center of mass, which generates a counteracting torque that cancels out the clockwise couple formed by the component X and the towing force. Thus, she can maintain equilibrium and remain stable while being towed.