A system of two bodies and wall

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The discussion revolves around the dynamics of two bodies, A and B, positioned against a smooth wall, with a focus on the forces acting on them. Participants debate the presence of normal and frictional forces, concluding that without upward forces, both bodies will fall due to gravity once released. The importance of free body diagrams is emphasized for understanding the forces at play, as they reveal that both bodies experience only downward gravitational forces, leading to identical acceleration. The conversation also touches on the conditions for static and kinetic friction, highlighting that relative motion is necessary for kinetic friction to act. Ultimately, the consensus is that both bodies will fall at the same rate due to the absence of upward forces.
  • #31
rudransh verma said:
There have to be relative motion between A and B for the friction to occur here.
No. That's only true for kinetic friction. I will add to @haruspex's comment...

Suppose a small parachute is attached to block B. Since A and B are pressed together, there could be enough static friction to prevent them sliding relative to each other. A and B would then fall together (in the same way as if they were stuck together).

Of course If you use a sufficiently big parachute and A is very heavy, then A will fall faster than B. Sliding occurs between A and B and the friction is kinetic.
 
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  • #32
Steve4Physics said:
No. That's only true for kinetic friction. I will add to @haruspex's comment...
O yeah! But there is also no static friction here because of the absence of any upward force. Both will fall as one system.
 
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  • #33
rudransh verma said:
O yeah! But there is also no static friction here because of the absence of any upward force. Both will fall as one system.
Yes indeed! If you read through the previous posts, you will see that this is the message we have been trying to convey!
 
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