Calculating Coefficient of Friction for Olympic Skier

[wildcatfan760]

Homework Statement

an Olympic skier moving at 20.0 m/s down a 30.0 degree slope encounters a region of wet snow and slides 145 m before coming to a halt. what is the coefficient of friction between the skis and the snow?

Homework Equations

Force of friction = coefficient of friction x Normal Force

The Attempt at a Solution

d = 145 m
vi = 20.0 m/s
vf = 0 m/s
a = -1.38 m/s2
t = 14.5 s

 

[Kurdt]

Now you found the acceleration that brought the skier to a stop you must remember that there is also an acceleration due to gravity acting along the slope as well. That means the friction force causes an acceleration that retards the skier and counteracts the acceleration due to gravity.