\ud83e\uddd7\ud83c\udffc\u200d\u2640\ufe0f Fun Fact<\/strong>: In fact, for the world to witness how physically demanding rock climbing is, rock climbing was introduced as an official sport in the latest 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n As I watched the rock-climbing Olympians on TV in awe, I noticed that they will always apply some white powder<\/strong> on their hands before they scale the walls.<\/p>\n That made me wonder: What is that white powder and why do they apply it on their hands before they scale the wall?<\/em><\/p>\n Before we explain the use of the white powder, let\u2019s have a look at this question from the 2018 Singapore Chinese Girls\u2019 School (SCGS) P6 SA2 Examination Paper<\/strong> and discuss the concepts tested.<\/p>\n Source: Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCGS) \u2013 2018 P6 SA2 Examination Paper [Q35]<\/em><\/p>\n To analyse this question, let\u2019s first highlight the key information to look out for in the question.<\/p>\n From the question, we learn that the white powder<\/u> rock climbers apply is chalk<\/u>! We also learn two other pieces of key information, which I\u2019ve highlighted in the question above.<\/p>\n \ud83e\udea8 Key Information 1<\/strong>: The rock-climbing chalk absorbs moisture<\/u>.<\/p>\n \ud83e\udea8 Key Information 2<\/strong>: The rock-climbing chalk prevents Belle from falling during her climb.<\/u><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n To answer the question above, similar to other Forces<\/a> questions, let us first identify all the forces present<\/u> when Belle is rock climbing. Following this, we will then discuss which force causes Belle to fall<\/u> during her climb and which force prevents Belle from falling<\/u> during her climb!<\/p>\n When Belle is climbing up the wall, there is a force acting on her that is pulling her downwards towards the Earth\u2019s surface<\/u> due to her mass.<\/p>\n What is this force?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Answer: This force is the gravitational<\/u> force acting on Belle.<\/p>\n Since gravitational force pulls Belle downwards<\/u> towards the ground, does this force cause Belle to fall or prevent her from falling during her climb? The gravitational force pulling Belle downwards should cause Belle to fall during her climb<\/u>.<\/p>\n In that case, how is Belle still able to stay on the wall? There must be another upwards force<\/u> that allows Belle\u2019s hands to grip the rock-climbing holds<\/u> and prevent her from slipping and falling<\/u> during her climb.<\/p>\n What is this force?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Answer: This force is the frictional<\/u> force between Belle\u2019s hands\/shoes and the rock-climbing holds.<\/p>\n Since there is already frictional force between Belle\u2019s hands and the rock-climbing holds for Belle to grip onto the rock-climbing holds, why does Belle still need to apply chalk on her hands?<\/p>\n Combining what we have learnt above:<\/p>\n \u201cFrictional force<\/u> between Belle\u2019s hands and the rock-climbing holds <\/em>is the force that prevents<\/u> her from falling during her climb.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n with the key information 1 and 2 below:<\/p>\n \ud83e\udea8 Key Information 1<\/strong>: The rock-climbing chalk absorbs moisture<\/u>.<\/p>\n \ud83e\udea8 Key Information 2<\/strong>: The rock-climbing chalk prevents Belle from falling during her climb.<\/u><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n We can understand that:<\/p>\n On the other hand, this also implies that:<\/p>\n What is this moisture<\/u> that can be found on Belle\u2019s hands? You guessed it! It is her sweat<\/u>.<\/p>\n Since Belle is participating in a very vigorous exercise, her body must be producing sweat<\/u>, which could also be produced in the palms<\/u> of her hand.<\/p>\n How does the moisture (sweat) on Belle\u2019s palms result in less friction between her hands and the rock-climbing holds, which might cause her to fall more easily during her climb?<\/p>\n Let me provide you with an example to explain the above.<\/p>\n Have you ever tried opening a tightly closed lid<\/u> of a jar with wet hands<\/u>? If you have tried, do you find it easy to open the jar? No!<\/p>\n Why not? It is because the wet hands are \u201cslippery\u201d and are unable to grip the lid firmly.<\/p>\n And why are the wet hands \u201cslippery\u2019? That is because your wet hands contain water, which acts as a lubricant.<\/p>\n \ud83e\uded9 A lubricant<\/strong> is a smooth liquid<\/u>.<\/p>\n When applied on two surfaces, it helps to reduce friction<\/u> between the two surfaces when they rub against each other.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n As such, the water<\/u> on your wet hands acts as a lubricant<\/u> and reduces friction between the hands and the lid<\/u>, causing your hands to have a weaker grip<\/u> on the lid. Thus, it is more difficult to remove the lid from the jar.<\/p>\n How does the above example explain why the moisture on Belle\u2019s palms might cause her to fall more easily during her climb?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n As a result, the moisture (sweat) on Belle\u2019s palms might cause her to fall more easily during her climb.<\/p>\n Now that we understand how the moisture (sweat) on Belle\u2019s palms might cause her to fall more easily during her climb, let\u2019s summarise how the moisture-absorbing<\/u> rock-climbing chalk can prevent<\/u> Belle from falling easily during her climb.<\/p>\n \u201cSince the chalk absorbs<\/u> moisture (sweat) from Belle\u2019s hands, <\/em>would there be more or less<\/u> moisture (sweat) on her hands?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em>Answer: There would be less<\/u> moisture (sweat)!<\/p>\n \u201cWith less sweat to act as a lubricant, would there be more or less friction <\/em>between her hands and the rock-climbing holds?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Answer: There would be more<\/u> friction between her hands and the rock-climbing holds, causing her to have a stronger<\/u> grip on the holds and preventing her from falling easily during her climb.<\/p>\n Belle\u2019s hands produce sweat, which acts as a lubricant and reduces friction between her hands and the rock-climbing holds.<\/p>\n The chalk on her hands then absorbs the sweat, keeping her hand dry. This increases friction between the rock-climbing holds and her hands, gives her a better grip and prevents her from falling easily during her climb.<\/p>\n Now, let\u2019s look at another use of powder in this question from the 2017 Raffles Girls\u2019 Primary School (RGPS) P6 SA1 Examination Paper<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Source: Raffles Girls’ Primary School (RGPS) \u2013 2017 P6 SA1 Examination Paper [Q24]<\/em><\/p>\n In this question, it involves a game of carrom, a tabletop game of Indian origin where players use their fingers to flick coin-like discs, attempting to knock them to the little pockets at the corners of the board.<\/p>\n The question asks what the players should do before the game so that the carrom coins will move a longer distance on the board. <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n The first thing we should consider is,<\/p>\n \u201cWhich force(s) affect(s) the distance travelled<\/em>\u00a0by the carrom coins on the board?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Answer: Other than the amount of push force applied to flick the carrom coins, the distance travelled by the carrom coins is affected by the amount of friction between the carrom coins and the board<\/u>.<\/p>\n \ud83e\ude99 The greater the amount of friction<\/u><\/strong> between the carrom coins and the board, the shorter the distance travelled<\/u><\/strong> by the carrom coins.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cAs such, if the players want the carrom coins to move a longer distance<\/u> <\/em>on the board, should they increase or decrease the amount of friction between the carrom coins and the board?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Answer: They should decrease the amount of friction<\/u><\/strong> between the carrom coins and the board.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at the options given.<\/p>\n Now, in the earlier question, when chalk (powder) was applied to the rock-climber\u2019s hands, the chalk (powder) helped to increase<\/u> friction between the hands and the rock-climbing holds.<\/p>\n However, can powder also help to reduce<\/u><\/strong> friction when spread on a surface<\/u><\/strong>? Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n When we look at a solid surface on a microscopic level, we can see that the surface is not entirely smooth. There are grooves and gaps on the surface as seen in the image below. When two solid surfaces rub against each other, it results in friction between the two surfaces due to these grooves and gaps.<\/p>\n What happens when powder is applied<\/u><\/strong> on a solid surface? The fine particles of the powder will fill up these gaps<\/u><\/strong>, creating a smoother surface<\/u><\/strong>.<\/p>\n “With a smoother surface, will there be more or less friction between the carrom coin and the board?”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Answer: There will be less<\/u> friction between the coin and the board.<\/p>\n “With less friction between the coin and the board, will the coin move a longer or shorter distance?”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Answer: The coin will move a longer<\/u> distance.<\/p>\n As such, option (1) is the correct answer.<\/p>\n For options (2), (3) and (4), these options would create a rougher<\/u><\/strong> surface and would cause an increase in friction<\/u><\/strong> between the coin and the board. Thus, the coin will move a shorter distance<\/u><\/strong> on the board, instead of a longer distance.<\/p>\n Thus, options (2), (3) and (4) are not the correct answer.<\/p>\n As discussed above, when powder is applied<\/u> in a rock-climbing event<\/u>, it increases friction<\/u>. However, when powder is applied on the surface of the carrom board<\/u>, it actually reduces friction<\/u>.<\/p>\n So how do we know when powder will cause an increase or decrease in the amount of friction? Here\u2019s a table showing you the scenarios to look out for to determine whether powder increases or reduces friction.<\/p>\n I hope you have enjoyed reading this article and that this article has helped you gain a better understanding of the use of powder and how it affects the amount of friction between two surfaces.<\/p>\n Check out our other articles on the topic of Forces<\/a> and continue to keep a lookout for our new articles! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”CCI” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”0px||” custom_padding=”0px||” global_module=”239753″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider color=”#898989″ admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/The-Pique-Lab-CCI-Science-Course-CTA.png” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”CCI” _builder_version=”4.16″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#333333″ text_font_size=”18px” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If you like our methodology, we’ve some upcoming workshops:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”geomanist-medium||||||||” text_text_color=”#f44a4a” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”2em” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n P3 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In this article, we will be discussing why chalk is used in rock climbing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":242667,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20,6,3],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"modified_by":"Jaimie Aberia","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242479"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=242479"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242479\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":244282,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242479\/revisions\/244282"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/242667"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=242479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=242479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=242479"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=242479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Forces_1.png\")
<\/span><\/p>\nRead Also:<\/h3>\n
\n
Let’s Take A Look At This Question<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Forces_8.png\")
<\/span><\/p>\nThought Process<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Forces_9.png\")
<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Analysing Forces Involved During Rock Climbing<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Forces_2.png\")
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Forces_3.png\")
<\/span><\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Forces_10.png\")
<\/b><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Forces_11.png\")
<\/b><\/p>\nExample: Opening A Jar Lid With Wet Hands<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Forces_4.png\")
<\/b><\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Forces_12.png\")
<\/b><\/p>\nSuggested Answer<\/h2>\n
Moving On To Another Question<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Forces_5.png\")
<\/p>\nThought Process<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
Option (1): Spread Powder On Carrom Board Surface<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Forces_6.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Forces_7.png\")
<\/p>\nSuggested Answer<\/h2>\n
Options (2), (3) and (4): Placing A Rubber Mat, Pasting Sandpaper & Scratching Surface Of Coin<\/h4>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Forces_13.png\")
<\/p>\n
P4 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a>
P5 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a>
P6 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n