Is Friction Caused by Electron Repulsion in Collisions?

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Friction arises from electromagnetic forces between surfaces, even at the atomic level where electron repulsion prevents direct contact. While these forces are not perpendicular to the direction of motion due to surface defects, they contribute to frictional resistance. The interactions during friction are not perfectly elastic, meaning kinetic energy is not fully conserved, which leads to the generation of heat. This heat is a result of energy being dissipated during the inelastic interactions between surfaces. Understanding these concepts clarifies the relationship between atomic forces and macroscopic friction.
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I was just wondering, because on an atomic scale, nothing ever touches due to electron repulsion, why is there friction?
 
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Friction forces occur at larger scale, not that tiny.
 
Even when not touching, there are still forces (electromagnetic) between objects. It isn't like every surface is a mag-lev train - surface defects mean the forces aren't perpendicular to the direction of motion.
 
Ok I now understand that this the forces aren't perpendicular, but why would this produce heat? Where is the energy being released?
 
The heat is due to the fact that the interactions are not perfectly elastic.
 
russ_watters said:
perfectly elastic.

Sorry I'm being stupid right now but, what do you mean by that?
 
AzonicZeniths said:
Sorry I'm being stupid right now but, what do you mean by that?

a perfectly elastic collision is one in which kinetic energy is conserved.
 

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