Equations
These are the two equations that I referred to while explaining the affects of the ski cambers, bases, and waxes on the glide of the skis. Camber is similar to a spring. The camber of skis are designed to spring back to their original position when compressed (the compression gives a negative x, so the resulting force is positive) by a skier. The greater the deformation in the ski, then the greater the spring force is going to be, which helps propel the skier forward. The kinetic friction is related to the amount of weight on the skis and the coefficient of kinetic friction of the bases of the skis. Ski manufacturers try to minimize friction as much as possible. The best way ski manufacturers know how to do this is by making the bases from materials that have a really low coefficient of kinetic friction. The lower the coefficient of kinetic friction, then the less frictional force the skier experiances. This is why waxes are important as well. If the skier has the proper wax applied, the frictional forces can be decreased, so that over a distance, d, there is less work done by friction. Work done by friction slows the skier down. Some of the explanations about the bases do not take into account certain stonegrinds. These were ignored so I could focus on the more basic principles behind bases.