Question

which skier(s) experienced the strongest force when bumped? how do you know? a the skiers in the yellow and purple sweaters: they both gained the same force as they sped up, but the skier in the red sweater lost force and slowed down. b the skier in the yellow sweater experienced the strongest force because he has the fastest ending speed. c all three skiers experienced the same strength force because they changed speed by the same amount. d the skier in the red sweater because it takes a stronger force to slow something down than to speed it up.

Explanation:

According to Newton's second - law ($F = ma$, where $F$ is force, $m$ is mass and $a$ is acceleration), the magnitude of force depends on the change in velocity (acceleration) and mass. If we assume the mass of the skiers is the same, the force is determined by the change in speed. If all three skiers change speed by the same amount, the acceleration is the same for them. So, the force they experience is the same.

Answer:

C. All three skiers experienced the same strength force because they changed speed by the same amount.