(no subject)

[dreamer_easy]

Can you skate faster in lower gravity?

Comments

[elsaf]

No, you can't. You could sled faster because less weight would mean less friction against the ground. But skating all but removes the friction element and your speed would be determined by air resistance and momentum, which is determined by mass -- which doesn't change in lower gravity.

[jblum.livejournal.com]

Ah! So -- could you skate faster in a vacuum?...

[kelemvor.livejournal.com]

For as long as you could hold your breath...

[elsaf]

I think you could, but I'm not certain. I have forwarded this question to my brother the mechanical engineer for an authoritative answer.

[elsaf]

My brother says, yes, you could skate faster in a vacuum because that would remove the air resistance.

He also offered that in low-gravity, the air would be less dense (if you weren't in a pressurized environment), so you might have a little less air resistance. However, this would be balanced by a reduction in the force you could exert to push yourself forward, because the friction between the wheels and the ground would be less.

[pbristow.livejournal.com]

"the wheels and the ground"

Ah! Are we talking roller skating or ice skating? I was assuming the latter 'til now.