The Physics of Ice Skating

Figure skating. Is it a sport or a performing art? The physics of ice skating will give you another perspective – a science.

Let's start with a look at the skating shoe, which is equipped with a thin piece of metal fixed to the exterior of its sole in a vertical position. This blade ensures a minimal area comes into contact with the ice.

You may guess the correct result – reduced resistance in the form of friction, because of this lowest possible surface area.

The physics of ice skating has another factor that plays a role in reduction of friction. The formation of a thin layer of water between the surface of solid ice and the edge of the blade.

This water layer is thin, a few thousand molecules or less, and even thinner at lower temperatures. It should be obvious, though, that ice itself is slippery enough and the liquid film is not essential for motion.

Role of vorticity in ice skating

Analogously, you can think of it as another part of the physics of ice skating. A skater moves without falling down because angular momentum, angular component in linear motion, helps stabilize the moving body, just like a gyroscope or someone riding a bicycle.

Studying the spin of an ice skater is an excellent way to demonstrate the physics of ice skating concept called angular momentum and how it is conserved. The skater moves slowly while arms spread across, when the skater brings her hands closer to her body, the speed of spinning increases so that the moment is maintained.

So even though the speed, angular velocity, will increase upon compression, the amount of area all element of mass sweeps out relative to the axis will remain constant when totaled, minus a small amount of loss due to friction.

Spinning is also dependent on ‘torque’ the force that leads to rotation. This force is achieved by pushing the ice.

For example, you see a skater achieving multiple spins in edge jumps. Jumps with names such as double-axel, which result from the torque created by the turning of skate as she takes off from the ice surface.

She can increase her rotational speed by pulling in her hands closer to body, but stretches her hands and legs for stability while landing.

With practice, a skater will acquire the skills to effectively use these forces to her advantage and that makes for impressive figure skating.

It is NOT knowledge of physics of ice skating that helps figure skaters make exciting movements. Instead, it's the practice, the effort and fluid motion they put in with little or no regard for the theory.

But those of us who aren't so graceful will think of the physics instead.

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