-friction Is Independant Of Surface Area-

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of friction, specifically addressing why friction is considered independent of surface area and exploring the differences between rolling and sliding friction. The scope includes theoretical explanations and conceptual clarifications related to physics principles.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why friction is independent of surface area and seeks clarification on this principle.
  • Another participant suggests reviewing a related thread for additional insights on the topic.
  • A participant rephrases their question to inquire about why rolling is considered better than sliding in terms of friction.
  • It is proposed that rolling is better than sliding because rolling converts translational kinetic energy into rotational energy without net energy loss, while sliding results in kinetic energy loss due to friction converting it to heat energy.
  • A follow-up question is raised regarding why kinetic energy is lost as heat during sliding but not during rolling.
  • A technical explanation is provided, stating that in rolling, the frictional force does no work because the particle at the contact point is momentarily at rest, while in sliding, the frictional force does work on the particle due to its non-zero velocity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of friction in rolling versus sliding, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the initial question about the independence of friction from surface area.

Contextual Notes

The discussion involves assumptions about the nature of friction and energy transfer that may not be fully articulated, and the relationship between surface area and friction is not conclusively established.

arunk8186
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
----friction Is independent Of Surface Area------

>> can anyone tel y friction is independent of surface area/length ...

thx an regards,

arun
 
Physics news on Phys.org
thank u sir ...to rephrase my question to get a still better explnation (wit regard to myself) ...

>> why is rolling better than sliding ??

thx and regards,

arun
 
Rolling is better than sliding, because in rolling, friction merely CONVERTS translational kinetic energy into rotational energy without net energy loss, wheres in sliding, the object loses kinetic energy.
 
thank u sir,
my question is why does while sliding ,kinetic energy is lost as (friction) heat energy...why not while rollin?

thanks and regards,

arun
 
Let S be a system of N particles, and let [itex]\vec{F}_{i}[/itex] be the net force acting upon the i'th particle.
The system's S rate of change of kinetic energy equals the sum of the particles' rates of change of kinetic energy.
Thus, if [itex]K_{i}[/itex] is the kinetic energy of the i'th particle, the rate of change is:
[tex]\frac{dK_{i}}{dt}=\frac{d}{dt}(\frac{m_{i}\vec{v}_{i}^{2}}{2})=m_{i}\vec{a}_{i}\cdot\vec{v}_{i}=\vec{F}_{i}\cdot\vec{v}_{i}[/tex]
where [itex]\vec{v}_{i},\vec{a}_{i},m_{i}[/itex] is the i'th particle's velocity, acceleration and mass, respectively.

Now, the frictional force acting upon an object (or system S) acts upon the the "particle" directly in contact with the ground. Since the particle at the contact point is MOMENTARILY AT REST, its velocity is 0, and hence, the frictional force acting upon it cannot change its OR THE REST OF THE SYSTEM's kinetic energy! Otherwise stated, in rolling, friction does NO WORK.

In sliding, however, the particle at the contact point has a non-zero velocity, and hence, the friction force does non-zero work on the particle, and hence on the system as well.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
11K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K