Limiting Friction & Centripetal Force: Explained

  • Context: High School 
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of limiting friction and centripetal force, particularly in the context of motion involving skidding and turning. Participants explore the relationship between these forces, the conditions under which skidding occurs, and the implications for motion on different surfaces.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the distinction between limiting friction and centripetal frictional force, questioning the nature of skidding.
  • One participant explains that friction cancels the applied force until it is overcome, leading to movement, and defines skidding as sliding perpendicular to the direction of rolling.
  • Another participant raises a question about how applied force can exceed friction if friction is considered the applied force in this context.
  • It is noted that friction has a maximum value, referred to as limiting friction, which is crucial for steering without skidding.
  • Some participants discuss the concept of inertial force in relation to centripetal force, suggesting that centripetal force is necessary to overcome inertia during turning.
  • One participant elaborates on the nature of frictional force, describing it as self-adjusting and dependent on surface characteristics and normal reaction.
  • Several participants explore scenarios where additional forces may be needed if centripetal force exceeds available friction, such as using gravity or external propulsion methods.
  • There is a discussion about the relationship between tilt angle and centripetal force, with differing views on how normal reaction and friction interact in this context.
  • Some participants express confusion regarding the torque caused by gravitational force and its relevance to the equilibrium of the bike during a turn.
  • The origin of frictional force is discussed, with references to inter-atomic attractions and electromagnetic nature, leading to further questions about static friction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the relationship between limiting friction and centripetal force, with no consensus reached. Disagreements arise regarding the definitions and implications of these forces, as well as the conditions under which skidding occurs.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the dependence of friction on surface characteristics and the normal reaction, as well as the unresolved nature of certain mathematical relationships and assumptions regarding forces in motion.

  • #31
pgardn said:
It makes physical sense with the triangular teeth model. The diagonal teeth can slip and at the same time can catch.
If they are slipping and catching at the same time, it would imply that the angles were not uniform. Fair enough but then there would be fewer teeth that were actually catching which would imply less net friction force. We are reaching a familiar stage in this discussion where the questioner seems more determined to make their personal view work than to accept where there are flaws.
Your suggestion that you could have vertical movement of the V teeth without horizontal movement is ignoring the fact that there is a slope. Your model also would have to include a flexible structure if different things happen in different places.
But how can you call one of your forces 'static' if there is movement?
Have you read about this stuff recently? Why not look at the wiki article and then widen your reading with the reading list or just a determined google search? Q and A is not a good way to get a general education about a topic.
 
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  • #32
sophiecentaur said:
If they are slipping and catching at the same time, it would imply that the angles were not uniform. Fair enough but then there would be fewer teeth that were actually catching which would imply less net friction force. We are reaching a familiar stage in this discussion where the questioner seems more determined to make their personal view work than to accept where there are flaws.
Your suggestion that you could have vertical movement of the V teeth without horizontal movement is ignoring the fact that there is a slope. Your model also would have to include a flexible structure if different things happen in different places.
But how can you call one of your forces 'static' if there is movement?
Have you read about this stuff recently? Why not look at the wiki article and then widen your reading with the reading list or just a determined google search? Q and A is not a good way to get a general education about a topic.

The bolded above is patently false. I don't like my model. It's just the only one I had.
 
  • #33
sophiecentaur said:
If they are slipping and catching at the same time, it would imply that the angles were not uniform. Fair enough but then there would be fewer teeth that were actually catching which would imply less net friction force. We are reaching a familiar stage in this discussion where the questioner seems more determined to make their personal view work than to accept where there are flaws.
Your suggestion that you could have vertical movement of the V teeth without horizontal movement is ignoring the fact that there is a slope. Your model also would have to include a flexible structure if different things happen in different places.
But how can you call one of your forces 'static' if there is movement?
Have you read about this stuff recently? Why not look at the wiki article and then widen your reading with the reading list or just a determined google search? Q and A is not a good way to get a general education about a topic.

Yep I see that now.
 
  • #34
pgardn said:
It makes physical sense with the triangular teeth model. The diagonal teeth can slip and at the same time can catch.

Again if you model the vertical component of the teeth you get some static friction (which really is a lot like a normal force like in the peg picture I drew. It's possible the peg like tooth could just sheer after exerting a static force. Like if one puts a more massive load on plane of wood till it breaks. Even when something slips this could still exist with the model I already presented using diagonal teeth.The horizontal component of the tooth would allow for the classic slip. I can see different parts of a larger body slipping while others remain static.

Now I may to read more about shearing, compression etc... as I may have ideas about this that are horribly wrong.

But if my simplified model does not fit experiment and observation then it's no good. It's much simpler actually to use your idea of you are static or you are not.

PS

I realize I am not very good at expressing my ideas with English. I'm much better with a face to face sit down while drawing pictures. I tend to think visually before mathematically. So sorry for this.

Admitted I have stepped into deeper water and need to read.

The end. Did not realize I expressed myself obstinately. Sorry.
 
  • #35
pgardn said:
The end. Did not realize I expressed myself obstinately. Sorry.
Not at all. It's just that we all try to hang onto ideas that we have come to love. You are right to resist a change of view without reasonable cause. A conservative approach is needed or Science would be doing Brownian motion all the time. :smile:
Your English is pretty good, aamof. You were getting your ideas across well enough.
 

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