- #1
alexandria
- 169
- 2
Homework Statement
Homework Equations
no equations required
The Attempt at a Solution
ok so i collected some information about bob-sledding, but i don't know if I've identified the role that friction plays for the athlete and their shoes in the sport, and I've only come up with one suggestion for improving the footwear, i can't think of anything else that would improve the athlete's footwear??
any help would be appreciated, thanks.
[/B]
Here is the information i found:
Bob-sledding:
- The athletic shoe must be designed to incorporate spikes in order for the athletes to gain traction between them and the ice.
- The friction between the track and the bobsled is not a high amount because the ice has a smooth surface. The less friction there is, the faster the bobsled tends to go, because there is no opposing force to slow the sled down.
- Since the ground is ice, it is more lubricated and slippery, therefore it has little friction, and so athletes must wear shoes that will provide them with grip.
- When athletes apply force to the ground, they propel themselves forward. In this case, however, there is little friction between the athlete and the ice, so instead of propelling forward, the athlete would slip backwards. These situations can be avoided if athletes use shoes that have small spikes attached to them. The spiked shoes would create traction, so the athlete can propel forward without falling. This is also necessary, so teams can gain traction when pushing their sleds into motion downhill.
- Grip and dynamics are two important factors in this sportso if i wanted to make two suggestions for improving the footwear:
1) Bob-sledding shoes should be made with small spikes at the bottom, for traction between the athlete and the ice.
2) i can't think of another suggestion??