A 60 kg skier with an initial speed of 12 m/s coasts up a 2.5 m high rise that makes a 35 degree angle with the horizontal. If the coefficient of friction between the skis and the snow is .08, find the speed of the skier when he reaches the top of the rise.

Question

How much work does friction do on the skier?

This is a conservation of energy type of problem!

Answer 1

The work done on friction=mu*mgCos35*2.5/sin35

change of PE=mg*2.5

InitialKE=FinalKE-changePE-frictionwork
find the final speed.

Answer 2

The final formula should read
FinalKE= InitialKe-ChangePE-Wfriction

hope this helps anyone doing this problem for homework!