English

Skier and loop-the-loop with friction

Classical Physics 2022-07-25 v2

Abstract

We solve analytically the differential equations for a skier on a circular hill and for a particle on a loop-the-loop track when the hill or track is endowed with a coefficient of kinetic friction μ\mu. For each problem, we determine the exact "phase diagram" in the two-dimensional parameter plane.

Cite

@article{arxiv.2003.02178,
  title  = {Skier and loop-the-loop with friction},
  author = {Dominik Kufel and Alan D. Sokal},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2003.02178},
  year   = {2022}
}

Comments

LaTeX2e, 22 pages (main text plus two appendices) including 10 figures. Version 2 is much revised, thanks to helpful comments by referees. To be published in the American Journal of Physics

R2 v1 2026-06-23T14:03:56.898Z