Friction & Rolling Motion: Effects Explored

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on the effects of friction on the type of rolling motion of an object, exploring the relationship between friction, rolling, and sliding motions. Participants examine how varying levels of friction influence the behavior of a rolling ball, particularly in scenarios like a ball rolling down a surface with changing frictional conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how excess friction affects rolling motion, suggesting it may cause the object to spin rather than roll.
  • Another participant reiterates the definition of friction as resistance to motion and discusses the relationship between force, acceleration, and friction.
  • A participant provides an example of a ball rolling down an igloo, highlighting that friction changes as the ball moves and questions whether the friction is less than or greater than the required friction for rolling when sliding occurs.
  • One participant proposes that the distinction between rolling and sliding depends on the mass of the ball and the comparison of rolling resistance to sliding resistance.
  • Another participant states that the ball would spin if friction exceeds the required friction, slide if friction is less, and roll if friction equals the required amount.
  • A later reply suggests that the balance between rolling friction and sliding friction is dynamic and difficult to maintain, indicating that sliding and rolling may occur simultaneously regardless of initial conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between friction and rolling/sliding motion, with no consensus reached on the exact conditions that dictate these behaviors.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of friction and its effects on motion, but these assumptions are not universally agreed upon. The dynamic interplay between rolling and sliding friction remains unresolved.

drragonx
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How does friction affect the type of rolling motion of an object. For instance, does having more friction than the required friction for rolling cause the object to spin?
 
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Friction is the resistance to motion. Force is required to overcome resistance then acceleration occurs and friction increases.
 
jerromyjon said:
Friction is the resistance to motion. Force is required to overcome resistance then acceleration occurs and friction increases.
I think you misunderstood me. A typical example is a ball rolling down an igloo from the top. The friction changes as it goes along the surface. So, when the ball starts sliding, is the friction less than or greater than required friction for rolling?
 
Now I think I understand your question... the line between rolling and sliding, would vary greatly depending I think mostly on the mass of the ball then on the rolling resistance versus the sliding resistance which would be less to slide or more to roll. Similar to a car skidding on ice, braking increases rolling resistance.
 
Correct me if i am wrong: The ball would spin (rotational>linear) if friction>required OR slid (linear>rotational) if friction<required. Finally, the ball would pure roll (vcm=rw) if friction=required.
 
It would be a razor sharp line where rolling friction = sliding friction... it is a dynamic situation, any way I think about it there is not a way to maintain a balance there. Even if the ball starts on a surface where these frictions are balanced, sliding would cause some rolling or rolling would cause some sliding. No matter what the ball is going down its just which ever the least resistive way to get there is.
 

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