What are factors that effect static friction?

In summary: The factors that affect static friction include the coefficient of friction, "mu", which depends on the materials of the two surfaces in contact, as well as the normal force, which is equal to the weight in an ideal world. However, in the real world, forces applied at angles or on a slope can complicate the calculation of static friction. Additionally, static friction only occurs when an external force is applied to an object, and it is equal to the horizontal applied force up to a certain maximum limit. Surface area has no effect on static friction, unless perfectly rigid bodies are assumed. In summary, the factors that affect static friction include the coefficient of friction, normal force, external forces, and surface materials.
  • #1
marshall4
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What are factors that effect static friction?

I know that mass has an effect and the surface area has no effect, but what are others that have an effect on static friction and that you would think have an effect even though they dont?
 
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  • #2
FIrst let's separate the ideal world from the real world.

In an ideal world, fricitonal forces are due to 2 things, the coefficient of friction, "mu" and the normal force. FOr objects on flat surface, the normal force is equal in magnitude to the weight.
The "mu" depends on the materials of the two surfaces that are in contact.

With static friction, as opposed to kinetic friction, "mu" times normal force tells you the maximum possible force. Static friciton only shows up if some other force tries to push an object. IF nothing is pushing it, then no static friciton is necessary. Therefore static friciton is equal to the horizontal applied force on the object, up to that certain maximum limit.

It gets more complicated if forces are applied at angles, or if the object is on a slope.
 
  • #3
It is only independent of area if perfectly rigid bodies are assumed.
 
  • #4
Originally posted by marshall4
What are factors that effect static friction?

I know that mass has an effect and the surface area has no effect, but what are others that have an effect on static friction and that
you would think have an effect even though they dont?

Static friction, also known as striction. See the physics of a dynamic brake.
 

What is static friction?

Static friction is a type of force that prevents two stationary surfaces from moving against each other. It is caused by the microscopic roughness of the surfaces and the interlocking of the molecules.

What factors affect static friction?

The factors that affect static friction include the nature of the surfaces in contact, the normal force pressing the surfaces together, and the coefficient of friction between the surfaces.

How does the nature of the surfaces affect static friction?

The roughness and texture of the surfaces can impact static friction. Smoother surfaces have less resistance to movement, while rougher surfaces have more interlocking points and therefore a higher static friction.

What is the role of normal force in static friction?

The normal force, which is the force perpendicular to the surfaces in contact, determines the strength of the static friction. The greater the normal force, the greater the static friction that must be overcome to start movement between the surfaces.

How does the coefficient of friction influence static friction?

The coefficient of friction is a measure of the amount of resistance between two surfaces. A higher coefficient of friction indicates a stronger static friction, while a lower coefficient of friction means less resistance to movement.

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