Why can't gravity be modeled as a frictional force?

AI Thread Summary
Gravity cannot be modeled as a frictional force because gravitational force is a conservative force, while friction is non-conservative. Gravity acts at a distance and is not a contact force, which differentiates it from friction that resists motion. The weight of an object, which is its mass under gravity, does not act as a frictional force resisting horizontal movement; instead, it influences how much force is required to move the object. When an object is resting on a surface, the ground exerts an equal and opposite force, but this does not negate the sensation of weight when lifting it. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurately modeling the motion of objects under gravitational influence.
Ing3nium
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Hey there, I'm new! :D

The weight, which is mass according to the gravity, and this scalar force keeps the object on to the ground, and if a force pushes the object horizontally, then why can't be the mass according to the gravity (weight) be modeled as a frictional force resisting the horizontal movement? Of course, a tank requires more force because its mass according to the gravity (weight) is greater than a mobile phone, since its weight absorbs all the movement.

And also, if the object is sitting on the ground, and that the gravitational force is canceled out by the equal and opposite force by the ground, then WHY do we feel the weight of the object if we put it on our hands?

Was experimenting with a pendulum, and thought that gravity WOULD stop the motion eventually.

Thanks...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Gravitational force is a conservative force, and frictional forces are non-conservative.
 
Gravity is not a contact force.
 
How effectively does your model predict how the planets move in their orbits under the influence of gravity?
 

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