Ice Skating in the Olympics
Friction
Friction is created by two surfaces bonding and creating resistance then breaking and allowing movement. Ice has very little resistance allowing skaters to glide smoothly over its surface. The small amount of friction of ice allows skaters to begin skating and to come to a stop. Skaters prefer soft ice that isn't completely frozen because the H2O molecules on the surface can move around giving Ice its low-resistance.
Projectile Motion
In order for skaters to do successful jumps they must know the laws of physics. They have to keep in mind their center of balance in order to land the jumps. Keeping in mind velocity and projectile motion. In the picture below, the velocity in the horizontal direction (Vx) remains constant while the vertical velocity (Vy) decreases due to gravity as the skater jumps and increases as they fall back to the ground.
Center of Mass
Skaters must keep in mind their center of balance in order to successfully create beautiful poses and do stunts on the ice. Their center of balance is around the hip area and must be directly above where either one skate meets the ice or in the center of the two skates if the legs are spread.