Question 4

A rider slides down a synthetic dry-ski slope on an inflatable rubber ring from point A (at the top) to point B (at the bottom).

State the main type of energy lost as the rider travels from A to B.

As the rider slides down, they become electrostatically charged and their hair stands on end.

The passage below explains how the rider becomes charged. Complete the passage using words from the box. Each word may be used once, more than once, or not at all.

\text{conduction} \quad \text{electrons} \quad \text{friction} \quad \text{negative} \quad \text{positive} \quad \text{protons}

The rider's trousers become charged because of _________________ between the trousers and the slope.
During this process, negative charges called _________________ are transferred from the trousers to the slope.
As a result, the trousers are left with a _________________ charge.

Explain why the rider's hair stands on end.

When the rider reaches the bottom, they touch a grounded metal safety barrier and their hair falls back down. Explain why their hair falls back down.