# A skier starts from rest at the top of a snow-covered slope and slides to the bottom. At the bottom, the skier is moving more slowly than would be expected if no energy were lost. Explain why the skier's speed at the bottom is lower than expected, and describe what has happened to the 'missing' energy.

> Edexcel GCSE Physics (1PH0) — 8.1 Energy — forces doing work · Explain · 4 marks

> A skier starts from rest at the top of a snow-covered slope. At the bottom of the slope, measurements show the skier is travelling more slowly than predicted from the change in gravitational potential energy alone.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. A resistive force (friction / air resistance) acts on the skier as they move down the slope
2. The skier does work against the resistive force
3. Energy is dissipated / transferred to the surroundings as thermal (heat) energy
4. Because not all the gravitational potential energy is transferred to kinetic energy, the skier has less kinetic energy / a lower speed at the bottom

## Related

- [Revision notes for Edexcel GCSE Physics (1PH0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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