What is Kinetic friction: Definition and 509 Discussions

Friction is the force resisting the relative motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, and material elements sliding against each other. There are several types of friction:

Dry friction is a force that opposes the relative lateral motion of two solid surfaces in contact. Dry friction is subdivided into static friction ("stiction") between non-moving surfaces, and kinetic friction between moving surfaces. With the exception of atomic or molecular friction, dry friction generally arises from the interaction of surface features, known as asperities (see Figure 1).
Fluid friction describes the friction between layers of a viscous fluid that are moving relative to each other.Lubricated friction is a case of fluid friction where a lubricant fluid separates two solid surfaces.Skin friction is a component of drag, the force resisting the motion of a fluid across the surface of a body.
Internal friction is the force resisting motion between the elements making up a solid material while it undergoes deformation.When surfaces in contact move relative to each other, the friction between the two surfaces converts kinetic energy into thermal energy (that is, it converts work to heat). This property can have dramatic consequences, as illustrated by the use of friction created by rubbing pieces of wood together to start a fire. Kinetic energy is converted to thermal energy whenever motion with friction occurs, for example when a viscous fluid is stirred. Another important consequence of many types of friction can be wear, which may lead to performance degradation or damage to components. Friction is a component of the science of tribology.
Friction is desirable and important in supplying traction to facilitate motion on land. Most land vehicles rely on friction for acceleration, deceleration and changing direction. Sudden reductions in traction can cause loss of control and accidents.
Friction is not itself a fundamental force. Dry friction arises from a combination of inter-surface adhesion, surface roughness, surface deformation, and surface contamination. The complexity of these interactions makes the calculation of friction from first principles impractical and necessitates the use of empirical methods for analysis and the development of theory.
Friction is a non-conservative force – work done against friction is path dependent. In the presence of friction, some kinetic energy is always transformed to thermal energy, so mechanical energy is not conserved.

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  1. R

    Calculating Coefficient of Kinetic Friction from Given Forces

    A 23.0 kg block is initially at rest on a horizontal surface. A horizontal force of 76.0 N is required to set the block in motion. After it is in motion, a horizontal force of 60.0 N is required to keep the block moving with constant speed. Find the coefficients kinetic friction from this...
  2. C

    Finding the coefficient of kinetic friction using impulse/momentum

    Hi everyone, I am trying to calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction in two ways. One using energy and one using the principal of linear impulse and momentum. Not getting the same answer! The system is a wheeled cart oscillating on a flat metal track between two springs. The motion...
  3. H

    Internal Energy and kinetic friction

    Homework Statement Please help, I've been struggling with this question for so long! We haven't done internal energy so I am not sure even where to really begin? A 10.0 kg block is dragged over a rough, horizontal surface by a 76.0 N force acting at 20.0° above the horizontal. The block...
  4. S

    Coefficient of kinetic friction between the two blocks

    Homework Statement The coefficient of kinetic friction between the two blocks is 0.30. The surface of the table and pulleys are frictionless. m1=2 kg m2=3 kg m3=10 kg Homework Equations \SigmaF=ma T2-m3g=m3a T1-T2=m2a friction-T1=m1a The Attempt at a Solution T2=m3g+m3a...
  5. S

    If the coefficient of kinetic friction between the box and the roof is 0.50, with wha

    You and your friend Peter are putting new shingles on a roof pitched at 24^\circ . You're sitting on the very top of the roof when Peter, who is at the edge of the roof directly below you, 5.4 m away, asks you for the box of nails. Rather than carry the 2.4 kg box of nails down to Peter, you...
  6. A

    Static Friction & Kinetic Friction

    Problem 1: You need to move a 125-kg piece of furniture in your living room. You and your friend exert a force of 305 N to start it moving. What is the coefficient of static friction between the furniture and the floor? Problem 2: A 20-kg bowling ball slides half way down a lane with a...
  7. D

    Work and kinetic friction coefficient

    Homework Statement A block slides down a frictionless hill, h=1.8m high. At the top of the hill the block has a speed of v=2.8m/s. At the bottom of the hill, the block travels over a patch of rough pavement and comes to a complete stop after s=5.0m distance due to friction. a) What is the...
  8. W

    Coefficient of Kinetic Friction Question

    1. If the acceleration of a pair of boxes has a magnitude of 2.5m/s^2, determine the smallest coefficient of friction between the boxes that will prevent slippage. Homework Equations F = ma Fk = ukFn Fw = mg The Attempt at a Solution ma = uk mg(Fn) a = uk g a/g = uk...
  9. Y

    Coefficient of Kinetic Friction

    Homework Statement A 5.20 kg block is set into motion up an inclined plane with an initial speed of v0 = 7.70 m/s. The block comes to rest after traveling 3.00 m along the plane, which is inclined at an angle of 30.0° to the horizontal. (a) For this motion, determine the change in the...
  10. U

    Kinetic Friction Homework: Solve for Acceleration of 880 N Crate

    Homework Statement A 880 N crate is being pulled across a level floor by a force F of 395 N at an angle of 25° above the horizontal. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the crate and the floor is 0.25. Find the magnitude of the acceleration of the crate. Homework Equations not...
  11. D

    Static and kinetic friction of a crate

    a dockworker loading crates on a ship finds that a 20kg. crate, intially at rest on a horizontal surface, requires a 75-N horizontal force to set it in motion. However, after the crate is in motion, a horizontal force of 60-N is required to keep it moving with a constant speed. Find the...
  12. L

    Kinetic Friction with an upward shove

    Homework Statement In the figure below, the coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and inclined plane is 0.17 and angle θ = 55°. What is the block's acceleration (magnitude and direction) assuming the following conditions? (b) It has been given an upward shove and is still sliding...
  13. D

    Finding Mass and Velocity on an Inclined Plane

    Homework Statement A force of 85N is applied to a block on an incline that makes an angle of 35 degrees with the horizontal. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the incline is \muk=0.45. The block is moving and accelerating up the incline at 1.5 m/s2. Homework...
  14. G

    Coeficient of kinetic friction

    Homework Statement Using Newton's Laws, show how you would measure mu k for an accelerating block. Homework Equations Fnet = ma The Attempt at a Solution I can't seem to relate Fnet to Mu k...
  15. S

    Solving the Coefficient of Kinetic Friction for a Sliding Pig

    Homework Statement A slide-loving pig slides down a certain 35 degree slide in twice the time it would take to slide down a frictionless 35 degree slide. What is the coefficient of kinetic friction between the pig and the slide? Homework Equations fs = Mk * Fn The Attempt at a...
  16. D

    Finding stopping distance given coefficient of kinetic friction and mass

    Homework Statement Bobsled A bobsled run leads down a hill as sketched in the figure above. Between points A and D, friction is negligible. Between points D and E at the end of the run, the coefficient of kinetic friction is µk = 0.4. The mass of the bobsled with drivers is 210 kg and it...
  17. C

    How to Calculate Kinetic Friction: 2 kg Block on Steel Table | Homework Help

    Homework Statement A 2.00 kg steel block is at rest on a steel table. A horizontal string pulls on the block. The coefficient of kinetic friction of dry steel on steel is μk=.600 If the string tension is 16.0 N, what is the block's speed after moving 1.30 m? Homework Equations...
  18. S

    Equation for solving the coefficient of Kinetic friction HELP?

    Equation for solving the coefficient of Kinetic friction HELP?? Problem: A cable attached to a block of mass 9 kg pulls the block along a horizontal floor at a constant velocity. If the tension in the cable is 5.2 N, what is the coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the floor...
  19. D

    Finding the speed with kinetic friction

    Homework Statement You and your friend Peter are putting new shingles on a roof pitched at 20degrees . You're sitting on the very top of the roof when Peter, who is at the edge of the roof directly below you, 5.4 m away, asks you for the box of nails. Rather than carry the 2.1 kg box of nails...
  20. K

    Find the coefficient of kinetic friction?

    Homework Statement A catcher “gives” with a baseball when catch- ing it. If the baseball exerts a force of 466 N on the glove such that the glove is displaced 11.6 cm, how much work is done by the ball? Answer in units of J. (I got this answer and it is 54.056) Find the coefficient of...
  21. F

    Static and Kinetic Friction Forces (Finding Net Force)

    Homework Statement The coefficient of static friction between a block and a horizontal floor is 0.414, while the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.138. The mass of the block is 5.24 kg. A horizontal force is applied to the block and slowly increased. What is the value of the applied...
  22. A

    Beginnger Coefficient of Kinetic Friction Problem

    Homework Statement If you exert 28N of horizontal force while pushing a 10.2 kg box across the surface of a floor at constant velocity, then what is the kinetic friction coefficient between floor and the box? Homework Equations EF = ma Ffk = uK * Fn The Attempt at a Solution...
  23. C

    What is the Coefficient of Kinetic Friction for a Puck Sliding on Ice?

    Homework Statement A 0.5kg puck on a frozen pond is given an initial speed of 20m/s. If the puck always remains on the ice and slides 115m before coming to rest, determine the coefficient of kinetic friction between the puck and ice. Homework Equations mass= 0.5kg force of gravity= mass...
  24. L

    Coefficient of kinetic friction and acceleration

    Homework Statement A 3.00 kg block starts from rest and moves down a ramp on an incline of 30 degrees. If it makes it 2.00 m down the incline in 1.20 s, then: a) what is the acceleration of the block? This answer I got using dX=Vot + 1/2at^2. The answer is 1.78 m/s^2. b) the...
  25. J

    How to Calculate Coefficient of Kinetic Friction for Slowing Box?

    Homework Statement An 85-N box of oranges is being pushed across a horizontal floor. As it moves, it is slowing at a constant rate of 0.90 m/s each second. The push force has a horizontal component of 20 N and a vertical component of 25 N downward. Homework Equations Calculate the...
  26. A

    Friction Lab Troubles: Finding Static & Kinetic Friction

    My problem is with this lab on friction...it is a virtual lab, as I attend a virtual high school. I've put in numerous hours and can't seem to figure out what is wrong. You see, we need to determine max static friction and kinetic friction using this program. For all the objects EXCEPT the dog...
  27. P

    Kinetic Friction of pushed box

    A box of books weighing 325N moves with a constant velocity across the floor when it is pushed with a force with 425N exerted downward at an angle of 35.2o below the horizontal. Find uk between the box and the floor. Please help me I have a test soon and I'm not exactly understanding how to...
  28. N

    Block compresses spring, find coefficient of kinetic friction

    You push a 2.5 kg block against a horizontal spring, compressing the spring by 18 cm. Then you release the block, and the spring sends it sliding across a tabletop. It stops 90 cm from where you released it. The spring constant is 200 N/m. What is the block-table coefficient of kinetic friction...
  29. D

    Coefficient of Kinetic Friction

    Homework Statement A box slides down a 30.0 degree ramp with an acceleration of 1.20 m/s^2. Determine the coefficient of kinetic friction between the box and the ramp. Homework Equations μk=f sub k/Fn The Attempt at a Solution With the information I have, I have no samples in my...
  30. X

    Calculating coefficient of kinetic friction through angular acceleration

    A potter's wheel is 101 kg and has radius of 0.483 meters and is freely rotating at 71.9 rev/min. the potter can stop the wheel in 6.54 s by pressing against the rim and exerting a radially inward force of 103 N. find coefficient of kinetic friction. I found alpha=71.9 x 2 x pi/60sec/ 6.54=...
  31. J

    Calculating Kinetic Friction Coefficient with Object, Ruler and Book

    My teacher gave us a homework. We must count the coefficient of kinetic friction between the object and the surface. We can only use the object, ruler and book or table etc. as the surface of motion. We are not allowed to count the acceleration with clock. I decided to make the object slide...
  32. K

    Block Pulled Up Slope/Coefficient Of Kinetic Friction.

    Homework Statement Block A has a mass of 5.56 kg and is on a rough incline of 21.5 degrees to the horizontal. Block B has a mass of 4.66 kg and the coefficient of kinetic friction between Block A and the plane is 0.276. What is the acceleration of the blocks? Homework Equations I used a =...
  33. B

    Force and Kinetic friction problem

    A sled weighing 100 N is pulled horizontally across snow so that the coefficient of kinetic friction between sled and snow is .275. A penguin weighing 50 N rides on the sled to start with the penguin digs in his claws so he is firmly attached to the sled. What value of F do you need for the...
  34. C

    Kinetic friction Homework Problem

    Hi there, I need help with understanding this guy's solution thanks! The kinetic friction force will be up the slide to oppose the motion. We choose the positive direction in the direction of the acceleration. From the force diagram for the child, we have ?F = ma: x-component: mg sin...
  35. N

    Hat is the coefficient of kinetic friction between the floor and the box

    I have no idea of how to start solving this problem. A 5kg box slides 3m across the floor before coming to rest. What is the coefficient of kinetic friction between the floor and the box if the box had an initial speed of 3m/s? Can somebody please help me solve the problem?
  36. S

    What is the Coefficient of Kinetic Friction in a Sled Pulling Problem?

    Homework Statement You are pulling a child up hill on a sled, walking at a constant v. The incline makes the angle theta with the horizontal, and the rope is parallel to the incline. The mass of the sled plus the child is M, and you pull with a constant force T. Start with making a sketch of...
  37. S

    Find the intial velocity given the coefficient of kinetic friction

    Homework Statement You and your friend Peter are putting new shingles on a roof pitched at 21^\circ . You're sitting on the very top of the roof when Peter, who is at the edge of the roof directly below you, 5.4 m away, asks you for the box of nails. Rather than carry the 2.4 kg box of nails...
  38. B

    Kinetic friction free body diagram

    A Physics 1AL student uses a force P of magnitude 80 N and angle θ = 70 (with respect to the horizontal) to push a 5.0 kg block across the ceiling of her room. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the ceiling is 0.40. a) Draw a free body diagram of the system. b) What...
  39. R

    Finding work done by F given coefficient of kinetic friction

    Homework Statement A 2.55 kg block is pushed 1.54 m up a vertical wall with constant speed by a constant force of magnitude F applied at an angle of 69.9 degrees with the horizontal. The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s^2. If the coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and wall is...
  40. B

    Finding the Coefficient of Kinetic Friction

    This problem has been giving me some trouble, and I was wondering if anyone could help? A 0.700 kg wood block is firmly attached to a very light horizontal spring (k = 200 N/m) as shown in the figure (Intro 1 figure) . This block-spring system, when compressed 4.7 cm and released, stretches...
  41. L

    Calculating the coefficient of kinetic friction homework

    Homework Statement I have a system that looks like this: http://dept.physics.upenn.edu/courses/gladney/phys1/homework/images/half_Atwood.gif m2 mass is 0.07kg. The m1 mass is gradually increased. Basically, if you tap it, m2 starts moving by itself at constant speed when m1 is at 0.03kg...
  42. L

    Finding the coefficient of kinetic friction and work

    In a truck loading station at a post office, a small 2.00-kg package is released from rest at point A on a track that is one-quarter of a circle with radius 1.60 m. The size of the package is much less than 1.60 m, so the package can be treated as a particle. It slides down the track and reaches...
  43. N

    The pushed box with kinetic friction and an inital speed

    Homework Statement A box is given a push so that it slides across the floor. How far will it go, given that the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.25 and the push imparts an initial speed of 3.7 m/s? Homework Equations E is sigma EFy/m = ay -> Fn - mg = 0 -> because ay = 0 -> Fn =...
  44. S

    Kinetic Friction to find velocity

    Homework Statement You have been called to testify as an expert witness in a trial involving an automobile accident. The speed limit on the highway where the accident occurred was 40 mph. The driver of the car slammed on his brakes, locking his wheels, and left skid marks as the car skidded to...
  45. K

    How Is the Net Work Zero with Both Push and Frictional Forces on a Crate?

    Homework Statement A 1.20 x 102 kg crate is being pushed across a horizontal floor by a force P that makes an angle of 30.0° below the horizontal. The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.450. What should be the magnitude of P, so that the net work done by it and the kinetic frictional force...
  46. D

    Kinetic Friction and Ropes and Pulleys

    1. Homework Statement Block A, on a horizontal table, has a weight of 4.91N is attached to a rope, that goes over a pulley, attached to Block B, that has a weight of 2.94N. Once block B is set into downward motion, it descends at a constant speed. Assume that the mass and friction of the...
  47. S

    Kinetic friction find greatest acceleration

    1. A crate resting on a rough horizontal floor is to be moved horizontally. The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.40. To start the crate moving with the least possible applied force, in what direction should the force be applied? a. Horizontal b. 24 degrees below horizontal c. 22...
  48. G

    Coeffiecient of Kinetic Friction problem? (Shuffleboard and Distance traveled)

    Coeffiecient of Kinetic Friction problem? (Shuffleboard and Distance traveled) Homework Statement A shuffleboard disk is accelerated to a speed of 5.8m/s and released. If the coefficient of kinetic friction between the disk and the concrete court is 0.31, how far does the disk go before it...
  49. L

    Kinetic Friction of sliding down a pole

    Homework Statement A firefighter whose weight is 812 N is sliding down a vertical pole, her speed increasing at the rate of 1.45 m/s2. Gravity and friction are the two significant forces acting on her. What is the magnitude of the frictional force? Homework Equations Fk = ukFn uk =...
  50. P

    Finding the coefficient of kinetic friction

    Homework Statement A 50 kg block slides down a 32° ramp with an acceleration of 3.2 m/s2. What is the coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the ramp? Homework Equations \mukinetic=\frac{f_{kinetic}}{F_{normal}} The Attempt at a Solution I have gone through many...
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