Question

Explain why snow shoes stop you from sinking into soft snow.

Answer 1

Hint: We are asked about the construction of snow shoes. We can answer this question correctly by stating how the construction is done and what allows the person to not sink and walk properly on snow. This gives us our required solution.
The formula to find the pressure is given by \[P = \dfrac{F}{A}\]
Where F is the force and A is the area .

Complete Step By Step Answer:
We know that snow is a less dense surface than the one we normally walk on. Thus, we need specially designed shoes to walk properly. The snow shoes are constructed in such a way that we spread the force or our weight equally on the surface. They are also constructed to have more area on the surface because if not, we will sink. So, in order to reduce the pressure on the surface of snow a person can be reduced by increasing the surface area of the application of force.
From the relation, \[P = \dfrac{F}{A}\]
We can see that pressure and area are inversely proportional and this means, the more we increase the area, the lesser is the pressure on the surface due to one’s weight.
In conclusion, the flat soles increase the area to which force is applied hence increasing the pressure.

Note:
Snow is made up of tiny water that is unable to hold weight. This is why one sinks in snow just as he/she steps into it. The frictional force between your shoes and the surface of snow is very less this also adds onto why we cannot walk properly in snow.