Moving a Skateboard: Investigating Parameters Affecting Motion

[Ginger Chen]

Homework Statement

A skateboarder on a horizontal surface can accelerate from rest just by moving the body, without touching external support. Investigate the parameters that affect the motion of a skateboard propelled by this method.


2. The attempt at a solution

I think that "friction" and "changing the center of mass" are what cause this happen. But I got some problems in how to explain the parameters that affect the motion exactly. And as I remebered, the center of the mass won't change. But what I tried to make to skateboard move is to kneel a little bit and make the upper part of my body forward, and then move the skateboard forward by my waist (and the movement shall be faster than the one I move my upper body).

 

[tiny-tim]

Welcome to PF!

Hi Ginger Chen! Welcome to PF!

Try a google search for "physics of skateboarding".

 

[Phrak]

Problem 7 for the 22nd IYPT?

You are doing two things at once with this action (what's it called?). The direction that the wheels track oscillates, and the force your body's inertial exerts, nominally sideways, on the wheels oscillates, as well.