How Does Friction Influence Your Walking and Balance?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the role of friction in walking and balance, exploring how a lack of friction would affect movement and stability. Participants examine both theoretical scenarios and practical implications, including the possibility of walking in place without slipping and the mechanics of movement on frictionless surfaces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that without friction, a person would not be able to walk effectively, as pushing against the ground would not result in movement.
  • Others propose that in a hypothetical frictionless scenario, walking in place could be possible, but the actual motion would not necessarily correspond to the intended direction.
  • There is a suggestion that while walking in place is theoretically possible, it would require adaptations in walking style to maintain balance.
  • Some participants discuss the implications of low friction, noting that while it may allow for some movement, it would not enable effective acceleration or direction changes.
  • One participant introduces the idea that maintaining balance without friction could involve using arm movements or other techniques to control stability.
  • There is a clarification that the original question about walking in place could be interpreted as wanting to move rather than remain stationary, leading to further discussion about the mechanics involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of walking in place without friction, with some agreeing that it is possible in principle while others emphasize the need for some friction to change velocity. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the practical implications of these ideas.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that no surface is completely frictionless, which complicates the theoretical discussions. There are also unresolved questions about the mechanics of movement and balance in a frictionless scenario.

Sundown444
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I have heard that if there were no friction between a person walking and the ground, the person would just walk in place, like a cartoon character. If this is true, then I am a bit confused, though: How would the person just walk in place and not just slip and fall if there is no friction? Someone help me out here.
 
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How do you walk and control your position when standing up? You push your foot backwards / sideways. If there is no friction between your sole and the floor then that will have no effect. You will fall over and not get moving. (No reaction force will result if there's no friction)
 
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sophiecentaur said:
How do you walk and control your position when standing up? You push your foot backwards / sideways. If there is no friction between your sole and the floor then that will have no effect. You will fall over and not get moving. (No reaction force will result if there's no friction)

Thought so. Thanks for the clarifying.
 
sophiecentaur said:
If there is no friction between your sole and the floor then that will have no effect.
You can still move your feet.
Walking in place is possible in principle, but in reality no surface is completely frictionless. On such a hypothetical surface, your "walking" direction and speed are completely independent of your actual motion (doesn't have to be in place).
 
mfb said:
You can still move your feet.
Walking in place is possible in principle, but in reality no surface is completely frictionless. On such a hypothetical surface, your "walking" direction and speed are completely independent of your actual motion (doesn't have to be in place).
Ah well, now you are introducing practicalities. Fair enough but I was answering the question as it was put, which is a good way to start. You can walk (carefully) on ice but there's no way you can accelerate fast or change direction. If someone nudges you, you will go down.
 
mfb said:
You can still move your feet.
Walking in place is possible in principle, but in reality no surface is completely frictionless. On such a hypothetical surface, your "walking" direction and speed are completely independent of your actual motion (doesn't have to be in place).

Really? You are right about the no surface being completely frictionless. Just one more thing; would you still be able to jump without friction at any height at all?
 
Sure. The surface is still solid, vertical forces are possible (otherwise you would fall down through the surface).
Would need some practice to avoid falling over.
 
mfb said:
Sure. The surface is still solid, vertical forces are possible (otherwise you would fall down through the surface).
Would need some practice to avoid falling over.

Alright. Just to make sure once more, in principle, it is possible to walk in place with no friction without falling over by slipping?
 
In principle it is possible.
You'll have to adapt the walking style a bit.
 
  • #10
mfb said:
In principle it is possible.
You'll have to adapt the walking style a bit.

Okay then. Thanks!
 
  • #11
Sundown444 said:
Alright. Just to make sure once more, in principle, it is possible to walk in place with no friction without falling over by slipping?
With one proviso: the friction can only be very low and not zero. If it is zero then how can you change your lateral velocity by contact with the ground?
 
  • #12
The point is to not change the velocity.
 
  • #13
I read the OP as wanting to be able to move and not to have to stay in one spot. In which case you would want to change velocity (and control where you're going. Though the conversation has drifted about a bit.

Staying in one spot when there is no friction AND staying upright, would be possible by whirling your arms about appropriately, I suppose. (Is this just an arm waving explanation? :wink: )
 
  • #14
sophiecentaur said:
I read the OP as wanting to be able to move and not to have to stay in one spot.
The OP specifically asks about "just walk in place".
 
  • #15
You can still accelerate even without friction, of course. Waving your arms in the right way is an option, blowing air in one direction works, ...
This does not work in a frictionless vacuum, but then you have more urgent problems.
 

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