The coefficient of friction (μ) can exceed 1, contrary to common misconceptions taught in educational systems. A notable instance occurred in a CIE A level exam where a coefficient of friction value of 1.27 was presented, highlighting the confusion caused by the myth that μ cannot exceed 1. This misunderstanding stems from outdated theories that incorrectly emphasized contact area and ignored phenomena like galling and adhesion. The discussion underscores the importance of accurate teaching in physics to prevent misconceptions among students.
PREREQUISITESPhysics educators, students preparing for A level exams, engineers working with material properties, and anyone interested in the principles of friction and its real-world implications.
jack action said:I know the coefficient of friction can be greater than one. But it seems that a lot of people were thought the opposite at some point through the school system. What was the reasoning behind that theory? I can't imagine how you could prove such a statement.
Interesting question, and probably no really clear answer. It did include contact area, forbade galling and adhesion (which would have wiped out any basis for proposing the "unit" limit in the first place), and made some strange appeal to intuition based on 45 degree frictionless (of all things) wedges, and it's just as well I can't recall the particulars. It made for entertaining evenings in college, listening to adherents vs. drag racing fans.jack action said:What was the reasoning behind that theory?