Question

A speed skater moving across frictionless ice at 10.0 m/s hits a 5.0 m wide patch of rough ice. she slows steadily, then continues on at 7.0 m/s. what is her acceleration on the rough ice?

Answer 1

To calculate the acceleration of the skater on the rough ice, we use the equation

`v^2= u^2 + 2as`

Here, u is initial speed when she hits the patch of ice and its value is 10 m/s and v is final speed when she left the patch of ice and its value is given 7.0 m/s and s is the width of patch of ice and its value is 5.0 m.

Substituting these values in above equation we get,

`(7 m/s) ^2 = (10 m/s)^2 + 2 a * 5.0 m \\\\ a = ((70 - 100)(m/s)^2 )/( 10 m) = 3.0 m/s^2`.

Thus, the acceleration of skater on the rough ice is
`3.0 m/s^2`