Question

Describe the energy transformations that take place when a skier starts skiing down a hill, but after a time is brought to rest by striking a snowdrift.

Short answer

The obtained result is that the gravitational potential energy will be transformed into kinetic energy. When the skier strikes the snowdrift, frictional force does negative work to bring him into rest.

Step-by-step solution

Transformation of energy

In this problem, the skier will have gravitational potential energy at the top of the hill.

Also, if the skier comes down the hill, kinetic energy will be obtained.

If the friction between the skier’s skis and the snow is ignored, then the skier’s gravitational potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy as he glides down the hill.

At the bottom of the hill, the kinetic energy will take the maximum value, and potential energy will be zero as total energy remains conserved.

Kinetic and gravitational potential energy

The skier will gain speed as elevation is not there in the hill. When the skier strikes the snowdrift, the skier’s kinetic energy will be converted into snow’s kinetic energy as well as thermal energy. The frictional force will do negative work, and it will gradually reduce the kinetic energy of the skier. He will come to rest after some time.