How Much Ice Melts When a Skater Stops?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a physics scenario where an ice-skater comes to a stop, and the discussion centers around calculating the amount of ice that melts as a result of the heat generated by friction. The subject area pertains to energy transfer, specifically kinetic energy and thermal energy in the context of phase changes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to calculate work and kinetic energy, with one suggesting that the kinetic energy lost by the skater is converted into heat energy. Questions arise about how to determine the heat (Q) transferred to the ice and the relevance of the percentage of heat absorbed.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring different aspects of the problem. Some have provided guidance on calculating kinetic energy and its conversion to heat, while others are seeking clarification on specific terms and calculations. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being examined.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that the ice is at 0°C and that a specific percentage of the generated heat is absorbed by the ice. There is a focus on understanding the relationship between kinetic energy and thermal energy in this context.

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A 58.0 kg ice-skater moving at 6.25 m/s glides to a stop. Assuming the ice is at 0°C and that 53.5 percent of the heat generated by friction is absorbed by the ice, how much ice melts?

Should I first calculate the work? I know I need to use Delta U= Q-W...but what is Delta U in this case?
 
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53.5% of the kinetic energy is converted to heat energy which is delta U.
 
How do I find Q given to the ice?
 
First, calculate the kinetic energy of the skater initially. Since the skater completely loses that energy, it must have gone into heat caused by the friction with the ice.

Find 53.3% of that and apply that to the "heat of melting" of ice.
 

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