Water Skiing Forces
Once the water skier gets up out of
the water and begins to water ski the forces also
change. There is still the
tension force in the rope that keeps the water
skier moving caused by the boat going forward and
force from the water acting in the opposite
direction. Drag is now reduced due the the water
ski is now positioned at a much smaller angle to
the water. This will also reduce the counter
force to the boat allowing the boat to accelerate
more easily. As the boat accelerates the water
skier will accelerate and travel at the same speed
of the boat as long the water skier is directly
behind the boat.
| http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/water-sports/water-skiing3.htm |
The physics
of skiing directly behind the boat interesting but
expand once the skier begins to cut back and forth
across the wake. When the water skier begins to
cross back and forth behind the boat the skier is
sent on a circular path. This circular path caused
by the rope exerts a centripetal force which
accelerates the water skier. With all the
forces acting on the water skier use these force
and knowledge of them to travel at faster speed
than the boat. Tension in the rope is key to
perform quick sharp turns. If tension in the rope
is decreased the water skier will no longer
maintain a speed faster than the boat. If your
speed decreases too much slower than the boat you
will most likely feel a large jolt once the slack
tightens up and propells you forward to match the
speed of the boat.
| http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index.php?/topic/11951-aerial-pictures-of-slalom-course-wanted/ |