2007-02-25 14:36:44 · 11 answers · asked by sigilwig44 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
MIT did a study on this (similar to this). They wanted to know why skates slid. They came up with an interesting answer.
You are actually not sliding on ice. The pressure of the skate blade (or foot), actually melts the surface of the ice, and you are hydroplaning on the water over the ice. The melted area is only a few molecules thick, and is not visible because it quickly freezes.
2007-02-25 14:46:05 · answer #1 · answered by mark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You slip on ice because of a lack of friction. There are two types of friction static and kinetic. Static friction is the friction between a stationary object and its surface. For example, to move a desk on a carpet requires a force great enough to not only move the mass of the object but to also break the static friction between the carpet and the desk. Kinetic friction is the friction between an object and the ground as the object is moving. For example, the carpet and desk are still witnessing friction but the amount is less. This is why in a strong man competition it is possible for them to move a tractor trailer. The initial force they use to start is a great amount (to break the static friction) once the object is moving the traction of the tires cannot fully "grab on" like they did when at rest hence they can pull the car (kinetic friction is lower).
The reason you slip on ice is that there is no friction present. The ice is a smooth surface therefore your shoes/feet have nothing to "grab onto" for traction. Therefore ice climbing spikes/skates work because the spikes/blades dig into the ice causing friction.
2007-02-25 14:47:52 · answer #2 · answered by jdaddy76 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Low friction. Ice is very smooth and has a low friction coefficient. Ice is slightly melting under your shoe, though. That makes it very easy to slip.
2007-02-25 14:42:13 · answer #3 · answered by Enceladus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the heat from your feet enters the ice and melts it.... then makes water// and then we slip
2007-02-25 15:19:30 · answer #4 · answered by Rock Bouvier 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because there's less friction on ice than there is on pavement. friction is what keeps us from sliding. if there were no friction at all in the world, we would be slipping and sliding all over all the time!
2007-02-25 14:40:06 · answer #5 · answered by mighty_power7 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the coefficient of friction for ice is quite near to zero. ad in the fact that when you walk on it, you melt a microscopically thin layer of the ice surface, making it even slippier
2007-02-25 14:39:56 · answer #6 · answered by Shredded Cottage Cheese 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two reasons.
1. It has a low coefficient of friction.
2. You're clumsy
HTH âº
Doug
2007-02-25 14:40:09 · answer #7 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ice has less friction.
2007-02-25 14:39:24 · answer #8 · answered by Mercutio 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You tend to loose your balance.
2007-02-25 14:39:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
coz its slippery!! duhhhh
2007-02-25 14:39:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋