Enrichment Card

Having Some Problems? 

You might be stumped at the activity, but hey, everyone has the right to learn again, aye?! Now, here is one question about pressure. The answers and explanation are given, for your guidance. So, enjoy learning!

Question: A 70 kg skier is going down a slope oriented 30 above the horizontal. The area of each ski in contact with the snow is 0.13 m2. Determine the pressure that each ski exerts on the snow.

* To find the pressure, you need area and force.

* Calculate the normal force applied on the snow: 

Fn = mg *Cos @ Fn = 70(9.8) * Cos 30 Fn = 594.09N 

* Now calculate the pressure in pascals, based on the formula: 

P = F/A P = 594.09 / 0.13 P = 4,569.95 Pa 

* The pressure exerted is 4,569.95 Pa/4.57 kPa.