The effect of mass/surface area on coefficient of kinetic friction

In summary, the coefficient of kinetic friction is not affected by the surface area or mass of an object. The frictional force is determined by the normal force, which is often just the weight of the object, and the coefficient of friction is the proportionality factor. A helpful resource for understanding these concepts is a lecture from MIT, which also explains that the static friction coefficient is determined by the angle at which an object starts to fall and is independent of mass and surface area. However, the force of friction is still affected by the mass of the object.
  • #1
furtivefelon
30
0
hi, does anyone know where i can find info on the effects of surface area/mass on coefficient of kinetic friction? thanks alot!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
The coefficient of friction does not depend on the surface area. The frictional force is proportional to the normal force acting on the surface (which is oftentimes just the weight of an object on a surface) with the coefficient of friction being the proportionality factor.
 
  • #3
This MIT Lecture, explained the concepts of friction very well...
maybe take some time and have a look...

http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Physics/8-01Physics-IFall1999/VideoLectures/detail/Video-Segment-Index-for-L-8.htm

the static friction co-efficient is determined by the tangent of the angle in which the object starts to fall and it is independent of mass, surface area, etc.

so - the coefficient is independent but not the force as it is proportional to the Normal force which is proportional to the mass.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

1. What is coefficient of kinetic friction?

The coefficient of kinetic friction is a measure of the amount of friction between two surfaces in contact when one is in motion. It is a unitless value that ranges from 0 to 1, with lower values indicating less friction and higher values indicating more friction.

2. How does mass affect coefficient of kinetic friction?

The mass of an object does not directly affect the coefficient of kinetic friction. However, the weight of an object, which is determined by its mass, can have an impact on the normal force between two surfaces and therefore affect the coefficient of kinetic friction.

3. What is the relationship between surface area and coefficient of kinetic friction?

Generally, there is an inverse relationship between surface area and coefficient of kinetic friction. This means that as the surface area of an object in contact with another surface increases, the coefficient of kinetic friction decreases. However, this relationship can vary depending on the materials and conditions of the surfaces in contact.

4. How does the type of surface affect the coefficient of kinetic friction?

The type of surface can have a significant impact on the coefficient of kinetic friction. Different materials have different textures and properties, which can affect the amount of friction between them. For example, a rough surface will typically have a higher coefficient of kinetic friction than a smooth surface.

5. Can the coefficient of kinetic friction change over time?

Yes, the coefficient of kinetic friction can change over time. Factors such as wear and tear on surfaces, changes in temperature, and the presence of lubricants can all affect the amount of friction between two surfaces and therefore change the coefficient of kinetic friction.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
787
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
33
Views
960
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
9K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
561
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
18
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
537
Back
Top