Speed vs Friction: The Mystery Explained

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between speed and friction, particularly in scenarios involving pulling objects across surfaces. It is established that while greater speeds do not reduce the coefficients of friction, they minimize the interaction time between the objects and the frictional forces, resulting in negligible movement of objects like a dining set on a tablecloth. The distinction between static and kinetic friction is highlighted, indicating that static friction is greater than kinetic friction, which explains the initial resistance before movement occurs.

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  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly friction.
  • Knowledge of static and kinetic friction coefficients.
  • Familiarity with the principles of motion and forces.
  • Concept of terminal velocity in free fall scenarios.
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  • Research the physics of friction, focusing on static vs. kinetic friction.
  • Explore the effects of speed on frictional forces in various materials.
  • Study the concept of terminal velocity and its implications in real-world scenarios.
  • Investigate practical applications of friction in everyday life, such as in transportation and material handling.
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Students of physics, educators explaining concepts of motion and friction, and anyone interested in the practical applications of speed and friction in everyday scenarios.

wavingerwin
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I am just wondering

In a case, a person can completely pull a mat between a table with and a dining set on top, with the dining set only moving a negligible distance (hence not falling off)

This can also happen in everyday life, e.g. pulling a paper or any thin sheet between two non-fixed objects.

The significant technique of the pull involve great speeds.
Lower speed will move the two or one of the objects significantly.

On a free fall, an object will reach terminal velocity as it moves at a great speed.
(greater speed results greater friction.)

However with the case of the table, mat, and dining set, it appears that greater speed reduces friction.

Can somebody please explain if there's any link between speed and friction?
Thank you
 
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I don't think it reduces the coefficients of friction involved. The quick pull just reduces the amount of time that the forces of friction interact with the objects sitting on the tablecloth. Shorter time and same force produces less displacement.
 
v_bachtiar said:
I am just wondering

In a case, a person can completely pull a mat between a table with and a dining set on top, with the dining set only moving a negligible distance (hence not falling off)

This can also happen in everyday life, e.g. pulling a paper or any thin sheet between two non-fixed objects.

The significant technique of the pull involve great speeds.
Lower speed will move the two or one of the objects significantly.

On a free fall, an object will reach terminal velocity as it moves at a great speed.
(greater speed results greater friction.)

However with the case of the table, mat, and dining set, it appears that greater speed reduces friction.

Can somebody please explain if there's any link between speed and friction?
Thank you
The frictional force is the coefficient of friction(static or kinetic) multiplied by its weight, so it does not change.
When the pulling involves great speeds, it is just too much for the frictional forces to affect.
Static friction is more than kinetic friction, so you may see the dining set to move more significantly on the initiation of the pull than later.
 

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