- #1
sunny1643
what is the average friction force when a person has a usual 1 km walk ?
What is the average friction force when a person has a usual 1 km walk
- Context: High School
- Thread starter sunny1643
- Start date
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around estimating the average friction force experienced by a person during a typical 1 km walk. It touches on various factors that influence friction, including bodily mechanics and external conditions.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant notes that the question cannot be answered without additional information, such as the level of synovial fluid in joints, the type of footwear, and the walking surface.
- Another suggests that an estimate could be made by considering the force exerted by the walker to maintain a constant velocity, implying that this force counters friction.
- A participant humorously points out that without friction, a person would not be able to start walking, challenging the previous claim about coasting.
- Further humor is introduced regarding the use of objects to generate motion in the absence of friction.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the feasibility of estimating the average friction force, with some emphasizing the complexity of the factors involved and others engaging in lighthearted banter. No consensus is reached on a specific method or answer.
Contextual Notes
The discussion highlights the need for specific parameters and definitions to accurately assess friction forces, which remain unresolved.
- #2
Danger
Gold Member
- 9,805
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Welcome to PF, Sunny.
Your question, as asked, is impossible to answer. Much more information is needed. For one thing, you have to consider the level of synovial fluid in the body joints to determine the friction involved just within the body itself, before you even get to what kind of shoes (if any) the subject is wearing on what kind of surface, under what conditions.
Your question, as asked, is impossible to answer. Much more information is needed. For one thing, you have to consider the level of synovial fluid in the body joints to determine the friction involved just within the body itself, before you even get to what kind of shoes (if any) the subject is wearing on what kind of surface, under what conditions.
- #3
belliott4488
- 661
- 1
I suppose you could come up with a wild estimate of the answer by estimating the force applied by the walker's feet in order to maintain a constant velocity. If there were no friction, then once he got going he'd just coast along at a constant speed (like an ice skater), so whatever force he's applying could be thought of as the force needed to overcome friction.
Of course, the real story is much more complicated than that, but it's a start, at least.
Of course, the real story is much more complicated than that, but it's a start, at least.
- #4
Danger
Gold Member
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- 251
belliott4488 said:
If there was no friction, he couldn't get going in the first place.
- #5
Claude Bile
Science Advisor
- 1,478
- 26
Not unless he had something to throw!
Claude.
Claude.
- #6
Danger
Gold Member
- 9,805
- 251
Well, I always keep a halibut around for just that purpose...
edit: Lest anyone thinks that I'm racist, a salmon would work just as well.
edit: Lest anyone thinks that I'm racist, a salmon would work just as well.
Last edited:
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