Friction: Little Hills & Valleys vs Better Theory

  • Thread starter Thread starter wavelength
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Friction
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the inadequacy of the "little hills and valleys" theory used to explain friction, questioning the necessity of friction to describe itself. Participants argue that electromagnetic interactions between atoms, specifically the attraction and repulsion of electric charges, could provide a more fundamental explanation for friction. The conversation highlights the broader issue that friction remains poorly understood in physics, despite its significant potential for practical applications if better understood.
wavelength
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
what is up with the theroy of little hills and valleys being used to describe friction! in order for this to work you need friction!
There has to be a better theroy! any ideas!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Why do you need friction to explain friction? Just e/m interaction of atoms (=attraction and repulsion between electric charges) would do it.
 
Truth is, friction is not well understood by anybody. A surprising state fo affairs, considering it is one area of physics wherein greater understanding could yield tremendous amounts of practical application.
 
Thread 'Is 'Velocity of Transport' a Recognized Term in English Mechanics Literature?'

Thread 'Is 'Velocity of Transport' a Recognized Term in English Mechanics Literature?'

Here are two fragments from Banach's monograph in Mechanics I have never seen the term <<velocity of transport>> in English texts. Actually I have never seen this term being named somehow in English. This term has a name in Russian books. I looked through the original Banach's text in Polish and there is a Polish name for this term. It is a little bit surprising that the Polish name differs from the Russian one and also differs from this English translation. My question is: Is there...
View full post »

Thread 'Inclined treadmills and Galilean Invariance'

This has been discussed many times on PF, and will likely come up again, so the video might come handy. Previous threads: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/is-a-treadmill-incline-just-a-marketing-gimmick.937725/ https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/work-done-running-on-an-inclined-treadmill.927825/ https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/how-do-we-calculate-the-energy-we-used-to-do-something.1052162/
View full post »

Thread 'Is calling fictitious forces "not real" just about terminology?'

Hi there, im studying nanoscience at the university in Basel. Today I looked at the topic of intertial and non-inertial reference frames and the existence of fictitious forces. I understand that you call forces real in physics if they appear in interplay. Meaning that a force is real when there is the "actio" partner to the "reactio" partner. If this condition is not satisfied the force is not real. I also understand that if you specifically look at non-inertial reference frames you can...
View full post »

Similar threads

I Looking for a formula for damage when sliding to a stop
Replies
18
Views
1K
B Questions about momentum and force as well as normal force/friction
Replies
35
Views
4K
Does molecular flatness affect friction differently?
Replies
4
Views
3K
Dependence of friction on area.
Replies
6
Views
2K
I Solving Wheel Coming to a Stop: FBD, Friction & Hysteresis
Replies
22
Views
4K
Coefficient of friction of various materials not listed in standard references
Replies
7
Views
4K
B The physics of flywheel launchers (like tennis ball shooters)
2
Replies
60
Views
4K
Friction Properties: My Understanding & Assumptions
Replies
1
Views
1K
Me, A Rod and A Table With Little Friction
Replies
9
Views
2K
Fastened joint - Preload scatter - Bossard calculator
Replies
1
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top