Is Friction Caused by Electron Repulsion in Collisions?

AzonicZeniths · Jun 19, 2008

I was just wondering, because on an atomic scale, nothing ever touches due to electron repulsion, why is there friction?

pixel01 · Jun 19, 2008

Friction forces occur at larger scale, not that tiny.

russ_watters · Jun 19, 2008

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.

AzonicZeniths · Jun 19, 2008

Ok I now understand that this the forces aren't perpendicular, but why would this produce heat? Where is the energy being released?

russ_watters · Jun 19, 2008

The heat is due to the fact that the interactions are not perfectly elastic.

AzonicZeniths · Jun 19, 2008

russ_watters said:

perfectly elastic.

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

rock.freak667 · Jun 19, 2008

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.

Is Friction Caused by Electron Repulsion in Collisions?

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Is Friction Caused by Electron Repulsion in Collisions?

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