Choose Wisely: Static or Kinetic Friction—The Power of Dimensionless Plots

Daniel O. Ludwigsen; Kathryn A. Svinarich

doi:10.1119/1.3081298

Choose Wisely: Static or Kinetic Friction—The Power of Dimensionless Plots

Daniel O. Ludwigsen, Kathryn A. Svinarich

Kettering University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Consider a problem of sliding blocks, one stacked atop the other, resting on a friction-less table. If the bottom block is pulled horizontally, nature makes a choice: if the applied force is small, static friction between the blocks accelerates the blocks together, but with a large force the blocks slide apart. In that case, kinetic friction still forces the upper block forward but with less acceleration than the lower block. The choice, then, lies in the relative terms—what is meant by small and large? After a confusing experience during a recent exam, we’ve found a demonstration and graphical presentation that can help clarify the distinction between static and kinetic friction.

Original language	American English
Journal	The Physics Teacher
Volume	47
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3081298
State	Published - Mar 1 2009

Keywords

kinetic friction
static friction
acceleration ratio
newton's second law
dimensionless plot
sliding blocks
coulomb model

Disciplines

Engineering Education
Physics

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10.1119/1.3081298License: CC BY

Choose Wisely Static or Kinetic Friction The Power of DimensionlFinal published version, 327 KBLicense: CC BY
Choose Wisely Static or Kinetic Friction The Power of DimensionlFinal published version, 327 KBLicense: CC BY

Cite this

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abstract = " Consider a problem of sliding blocks, one stacked atop the other, resting on a friction-less table. If the bottom block is pulled horizontally, nature makes a choice: if the applied force is small, static friction between the blocks accelerates the blocks together, but with a large force the blocks slide apart. In that case, kinetic friction still forces the upper block forward but with less acceleration than the lower block. The choice, then, lies in the relative terms—what is meant by small and large? After a confusing experience during a recent exam, we{\textquoteright}ve found a demonstration and graphical presentation that can help clarify the distinction between static and kinetic friction.",

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N2 - Consider a problem of sliding blocks, one stacked atop the other, resting on a friction-less table. If the bottom block is pulled horizontally, nature makes a choice: if the applied force is small, static friction between the blocks accelerates the blocks together, but with a large force the blocks slide apart. In that case, kinetic friction still forces the upper block forward but with less acceleration than the lower block. The choice, then, lies in the relative terms—what is meant by small and large? After a confusing experience during a recent exam, we’ve found a demonstration and graphical presentation that can help clarify the distinction between static and kinetic friction.

AB - Consider a problem of sliding blocks, one stacked atop the other, resting on a friction-less table. If the bottom block is pulled horizontally, nature makes a choice: if the applied force is small, static friction between the blocks accelerates the blocks together, but with a large force the blocks slide apart. In that case, kinetic friction still forces the upper block forward but with less acceleration than the lower block. The choice, then, lies in the relative terms—what is meant by small and large? After a confusing experience during a recent exam, we’ve found a demonstration and graphical presentation that can help clarify the distinction between static and kinetic friction.

KW - kinetic friction

KW - static friction

KW - acceleration ratio

KW - newton's second law

KW - dimensionless plot

KW - sliding blocks

KW - coulomb model

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VL - 47

JO - The Physics Teacher

JF - The Physics Teacher

ER -

Choose Wisely: Static or Kinetic Friction—The Power of Dimensionless Plots

Abstract

Keywords

Disciplines

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