The equation to calculate thermal energy due to friction is:
Q = μNΔx
Q represents the thermal energy due to friction, μ is the coefficient of friction, N is the normal force, and Δx is the distance over which the friction acts.
This equation is derived from the law of conservation of energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred from one form to another. Friction, in this case, converts mechanical energy into thermal energy.
No, this equation is specifically for calculating thermal energy due to sliding friction. It does not apply to other types of friction, such as rolling or fluid friction.
Some limitations of using this equation include assuming that all of the mechanical energy is converted into thermal energy, neglecting other forms of energy transfer, and not taking into account factors such as temperature and material properties.