First, a snow sled is initially traveling with a velocity along horizontal snow

Question

First, a snow sled is initially traveling with a velocity along horizontal snow and comes to a stop through friction. A second snow sled is traveling the same initial velocity on identical snow conditions and comes to a stop as well. However, the second is traveling down hill. The second takes a longer distance to slow down to a stop. explain why.

so I think....

first, 2nd sled has more gravitational force that's aiding the motion due to the angle of the hill. this gravitational force acts against the friction so the 2nd sled needs longer distance to stop.

the normal force is reaction of a surface that's perpendicular to the surface.

the 2nd sled, there is less normal force due to the angle of the downhill that's acting against the frictional force.

does my answer even make sense?

can you help me with a better answer??

Explanation / Answer

In the second case (coming down the hill), a component of earth;s gravity i.e. W*cos(theta) accelerates the horizontal motion of the sled, thus, it can go to alonger distance.

Also, the normal reaction would be reduced to Nsin(theta) from the normal N, thus, friction action on the sled would also reduced by a factor of sin(theta). Thus, sled can go longer.

(theta is the angle of inclination of hill slope)

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