Where does kinetic energy go when static friction decelerates an object?

[physicsisgrea]

I know static friction can cause an object to accelerate, but also decelerate.
And i also know that static friction never cause energy loss, but I wonder when it causes an object to decelerate, its kinetic energy should decrease, so where is the mechanical energy gone? Has static friction done work on the object? Thank you!

 

[Doc Al]

Please give a specific example of what you have in mind.

For example, a car slowing down. Assuming the tires do not slip, it is static friction from the ground that slows the car. (Ignoring air resistance, etc.) But that static friction does no work. The mechanical energy of the car has gone into internal energy within the car (the brake pads, for example).

 

[physicsisgrea]

My textbook says
When a box is placed on a traveling truck , and then the truck brakes to stop, the deceleration of the box is because of the static friction. (There is no sliping occurs)

I am confused because the box's K.E. should decrease to zero, and I have no idea how and where the mechanical energy is taken away. Is it converted into internal energy of the box?

 

[Doc Al]

My textbook says
When a box is placed on a traveling truck , and then the truck brakes to stop, the deceleration of the box is because of the static friction. (There is no sliping occurs)

OK.

I am confused because the box's K.E. should decrease to zero, and I have no idea how and where the mechanical energy is taken away. Is it converted into internal energy of the box?

The box's KE does go to zero when the truck stops. You can just think of the box and just another part of the truck. All of that mechanical energy ends up as internal energy within the truck.

 

[physicsisgrea]

OK.


The box's KE does go to zero when the truck stops. You can just think of the box and just another part of the truck. All of that mechanical energy ends up as internal energy within the truck.

Thank you so much !:)