Problem 23

Given information

Friction is the force that resists motion when the surface of one object comes in contact with the surface of another.

Step-by-step explanation

The climber does the same amount of work whether climbing straight up or via a zig-zag path, ignoring dissipative forces.

But if a longer zig-zag path is taken, it takes more time to do the work, and so the power output needed from the climber is less.

That will make the climb easier. It is easier for the human body to generate a small amount of power for long periods of time rather than to generate a large power for a small period of time.