Answer
In this situation, potential energy is transformed into thermal energy while kinetic energy remains constant.
Work Step by Step
By conservation of energy, we know that the sum of kinetic energy, potential energy, and thermal energy is constant. Since the speed is constant, the kinetic energy does not change. Since the skier is descending to a lower height, the potential energy is decreasing. Therefore, for the total energy to remain constant, the thermal energy must increase.
In this situation, potential energy is transformed into thermal energy while kinetic energy remains constant.
