Skis and wax: who glides farthest
Three skiers ride down the same hill: with good wax, poor wax and none. Compare who glides farthest on the flat.
2D
Age 7+10 min
FrictionEnergy
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Press “Run”. Bodies move by the laws of physics: gravity, friction, elasticity.
What the experiment shows
On the hill everyone gains energy from height. Friction turns it into heat: the lower the friction, the more energy is left for speed and the longer the glide.
How to run it
- Press “Run” and wait until they stop.
- Compare where each skier stopped.
- Make the hill higher — does the order change?
Questions to discuss
- Why do skiers use different waxes for different weather?
- Where does the energy go when a skier stops?
The science
Potential energy m·g·h on the hill turns into kinetic energy. Friction μ·m·g takes energy on every metre, so the stopping distance on the flat is inversely proportional to μ.
Try it at home
Slide a matchbox down a board onto paper, cloth and foil — on which surface does it go farthest?
What to change in the editor
- Make one skier twice as heavy.
- Add a ski jump at the end.