Homework Help: NEED HELP HW ! I really need this, it's due sooN!

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If one has a box or block resting on a flat surface, one will find that the force (push) is greater than the force to sustain movement. This is because the static friction is greater than the kinetic friction, which implies the coefficient of static friction is greater than that of kinetic friction.

The force of friction 'acts' tangentially to the contact surface (i.e. in shear) and is proportional to the normal force, e.g. weight (force of gravity) of an object. The proportionality constant is the 'coefficient of friction.'

 

Lets say you apply a force to move a block. You start with a light force and the block doesnt move. You push a little harder and it still doesnt move. Finally, you reach a point where you have applied a great enough force to get the block moving. In the first 2 cases, the force applied was less than the maximum static friction force. The force of friction balanced the applied force in these cases. It can take on any value in this range. Then after you exceed the maximum static friction force, a net force is created which moves the block. Note that its easier to keep the block moving once you get it started. This is because the coefficient of kinetic (sliding) friction is less than the coefficient of static (starting) friction

 

Good clear explanation, Turdferguson. And the reason it's dimensionless is because it's a ratio of two forces -- all the units cancel each other out.