Hey, could you please clarify a few things for me? I know that total friction depends on the normal force and the particular surfaces in contact.
So the coefficient of friction is the the amount of friction that is due to the particular surfaces in contact right?
For example, if i have a chair, the normal force is the same not matter what surface the chair is placed on. However, the friction differs if the chair is on a tile floor vs carpet. So is that difference due to the difference in the coefficient of friction for the different surfaces?
My other question is does the coefficient of friction represent the total friction or is it only the friction that is due to the particular surfaces not the normal force?
Sorry if I made my questions confusing. I just need this all to be clarified. Thanks!
So the coefficient of friction is the the amount of friction that is due to the particular surfaces in contact right?
For example, if i have a chair, the normal force is the same not matter what surface the chair is placed on. However, the friction differs if the chair is on a tile floor vs carpet. So is that difference due to the difference in the coefficient of friction for the different surfaces?
My other question is does the coefficient of friction represent the total friction or is it only the friction that is due to the particular surfaces not the normal force?
Sorry if I made my questions confusing. I just need this all to be clarified. Thanks!
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I think you are on the right track.
Friction depends on two things: the force pressing the two surfaces together (we call this the normal force) and the nature of the two materials in contact (represented by the coefficient of friction)
so if I have a crate on a polished floor and an identical crate on a very rough floor, the normal forces in the two cases are identical
but you know it is much easier to get the crate moving on the polished floor; that's because the coefficient of friction is less (an effect of the nature of the surfaces)
now, if we tilt the surfaces, the friction becomes less, not because the nature of the surfaces has changed, but because the force pressing the surfaces has decreased
re your second question...the coefficient of friction is independent of normal force...depending only on the nature of the surfaces
I am not sure what you are distinguishing between total friction and friction between the surfaces...I hope my responses have helped clarify for you.
Friction depends on two things: the force pressing the two surfaces together (we call this the normal force) and the nature of the two materials in contact (represented by the coefficient of friction)
so if I have a crate on a polished floor and an identical crate on a very rough floor, the normal forces in the two cases are identical
but you know it is much easier to get the crate moving on the polished floor; that's because the coefficient of friction is less (an effect of the nature of the surfaces)
now, if we tilt the surfaces, the friction becomes less, not because the nature of the surfaces has changed, but because the force pressing the surfaces has decreased
re your second question...the coefficient of friction is independent of normal force...depending only on the nature of the surfaces
I am not sure what you are distinguishing between total friction and friction between the surfaces...I hope my responses have helped clarify for you.