Static Friction
Reference from the original Physics I textbook.
- Static Friction
Static friction prevents relative sliding between contacting surfaces. Its magnitude adjusts as needed up to a maximum: 0 ≤ fₛ ≤ μₛN. The equality fₛ = μₛN holds at impending slip.
- Related Glossary Terms
Friction Force, Kinetic Friction↗, Table 1.4.1: List of Coefficient of Frictions
- Index
Reviewed physics notes (1)
These corrections keep the original lesson’s purpose while fixing errors in the source edition.
- Static friction is not always proportional to N at its maximum value. — Reference 1
Glossary and deeper reading · 2 refreshers
These editorial refreshers supplement the reading. Definitions and examples are added guidance; original source wording and recorded answers remain in their original context.
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Static friction
Static friction opposes the tendency for relative sliding between surfaces that are not sliding at their contact. In the simple model it adjusts up to a maximum set by the coefficient of static friction and normal force. For example, static friction can push a walking person forward when the foot pushes backward on the ground.
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Kinetic friction
Kinetic friction acts between surfaces that slide relative to one another. It opposes their relative slipping and is often modeled with magnitude equal to the kinetic-friction coefficient times the normal force. For example, a rapidly moving belt can exert forward kinetic friction on a slower box sliding on it.