Question
Why must a water skier moving with constant velocity lean backward? What determines how far back she must lean?
Answers
R_scott
drag (friction) from the ski/water interface would cause the skier to be pulled off the skis
... the backward lean exerts a forward force on the skis
the faster the skier goes, the greater the drag, and the more lean
... the backward lean exerts a forward force on the skis
the faster the skier goes, the greater the drag, and the more lean