Does Friction Oppose Motion on an Inclined Surface?

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SUMMARY

Friction always acts in the opposite direction to the relative motion between an object and the surface it is on. When an object moves on an inclined surface, friction opposes the motion of the object relative to that surface, not the overall direction of movement. For example, if a brick is dropped onto a moving plank, friction will accelerate the brick in the direction of the plank's motion until both move at the same speed. This principle is crucial for understanding the dynamics of motion on inclined surfaces.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Basic knowledge of frictional forces
  • Familiarity with inclined planes in physics
  • Concept of relative motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the effects of friction on inclined planes in detail
  • Explore the mathematical modeling of frictional forces
  • Learn about the coefficient of friction and its applications
  • Investigate real-world examples of friction in motion dynamics
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in the principles of motion and friction on inclined surfaces.

Nstraw
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If we Are moving an object on an inclined surface than shouldn't friction be in the same direction?
 
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Nstraw said:
If we Are moving an object on an inclined surface than shouldn't friction be in the same direction?
Same direction as what? The motion of the object?
 
Nstraw said:
If we Are moving an object on an inclined surface than shouldn't friction be in the same direction?

Friction is always in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of an object.
 
anjelin said:
Friction is always in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of an object.

Not exactly.
It opposes the RELATIVE motion the object has to say, the underlying surface.

That is:
Friction seeks to equalize the motions of the object and the surface.

Suppose you drop a brick (no horizontal velocity) onto a moving plank.
The friction from the plank will accelerate the brick in the direction of its own generated horizontal motion, until the brick moves with the same speed as the plank.
 
So friction will oppose the motion
 
Nstraw said:
So friction will oppose the motion

It opposes relative motion between the object and the surface.
 

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