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[Phys-L] why ice is so slippery



Hi --

A seasonal and topical bit of condensed-matter physics.
Aimed at a general audience, but contains some hard
numbers and makes a number of good points. Contains
links to primary sources.

Brian Resnick
"The surprising science of why ice is so slippery"
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/2/13/16973886/olympics-2018-ice-skating-science-speed

TL;DR: There's an ultra-thin surface layer that
isn't really frozen.