Racing on Water Slides: Does Weight Matter?

[Suraj M]

I had a small question regarding water slides.
Imagine 2 identical water slides, let the slides be a fun one as in with all the ups and downs, of course not going higher than the initial height! If two people have a race: would their weights matter? If so who would win?
Also if they were of exactly the same weight is there any way that there could be only one winner by considering his body movement while sliding down. PS they both are on mats or something hence constant friction.
Sorry for making the question sound so... immature!

 

[DaveC426913]

The key factors here are friction and momentum.

A heavier rider would experience more friction, and thus gain less speed, On the other hand, with more weight they would have more momentum, once up to speed they would maintain it through slow spots.

The winning results would depend on the actual ride. You could design a ride to give an advantage to whichever you wish to favour.

 

[Suraj M]

What if they have the same weight?

 

[DaveC426913]

Absolutely. The same person going down the same ride on multiple runs can dramatically affect their own speed, mostly be increasing or reducing friction.

If a slide seems too fast for you, you can do things to slow yourself down to a less heart-stopping speed. I speak from experience.

 

[Suraj M]

increasing or reducing friction would mean that you'd have to take off some normal force! You can't do that on a slide, can you?

 

[DaveC426913]

You can apply your hands to the walls and push outwards.
You can turn yourself sideways and push.
You can dig your heels in at the front of the mat, which will catch more imperfections in the slide.
You can lift your butt, and spread you limbs so that you are riding on the sloped floor-walls.
You can put body parts off the mat.
etc. etc.