Question

When a skier skis down a hill, the normal force exerted on the skier by the hill is

(a) equal to the weight of the skier.

(b) greater than the weight of the skier.

(c) less than the weight of the skier.

Short answer

The correct option is (c).

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Force on the skier

The normal force (N) on the person is upward from the surface of the hill.

Assumption:

Let m be the mass of the skier.

Let $\theta$be the angle of incline of the hill.

Step 2. Calculation for the normal force on the skier

The normal force on the skier is $N=mg\cos \theta$.

Therefore, $N>mg$as $\cos \theta <1$for the inclined plane.

Hence, the normal force exerted on the skier by the hill is less than the weight of the skier.