A skier with a mass of 62 kg is sliding down a snowy slope. Find the coefficient of kinetic friction for the skier if friction is known to be 45.0 N.

Strategy

The magnitude of kinetic friction was given in to be 45.0 N. Kinetic friction is related to the normal force N as f_k = μ_k N; thus, the coefficient of kinetic friction can be found if we can find the normal force of the skier on a slope. The normal force is always perpendicular to the surface, and since there is no motion perpendicular to the surface, the normal force should equal the component of the skier`s weight perpendicular to the slope. (See the skier and free-body diagram in Figure 5.4.)

Transcribed Image Text:

25° N W W₁ 25° Wil Free-body diagram W