How Does a Leather Belt Keep Baggy Jeans in Place?

[Fizzic]

Homework Statement

Your leather belt holds up your baggy jeans. How? What happens when you change variables such as making the belt wider, more narrow, thicker, or adding elastic?[/B]

Homework Equations

N/A

The Attempt at a Solution

Reducing diameter of the belt by tightening inreases friction?

 

[gneill]

Hi Fizzic,

Welcome to Physics Forums.

Reducing diameter of the belt by tightening inreases friction?

Okay. Can you explain why friction matters in this problem? Supposing that it does matter, what else can affect the friction? What about the "variables" mentioned in the problem statement?

 

[Fizzic]

Friction keeps things from moving apart? Smaller area of narrow belt would mean less friction.
Trying to compare to action of hose clamp.

 

[gneill]

Friction keeps things from moving apart?

Is that true? Sounds more like what glue or an adhesive does. Perhaps you meant that friction opposes the sliding motion of one surface over another?

Smaller area of narrow belt would mean less friction.

You should check the various formulas that apply to friction (refer to your text or course notes). How is friction related to force, pressure, and contact area?

Trying to compare to action of hose clamp.

That sounds like a good idea.