What is the difference between static friction and kinetic friction? a. The object is not moving for static friction to apply while the object is sliding for kinetic friction to apply. b. Static friction ranges from zero to a maximum value while kinetic friction is constant. c. Coefficient of static friction tend to be greater than coefficient of kinetic friction. d. All of the choices. What is the difference between static friction and kinetic friction? a. The object is not moving for static friction to apply while the object is sliding for kinetic friction to apply. b. Static friction ranges from zero to a maximum value while kinetic friction is constant. c. Coefficient of static friction tend to be greater than coefficient of kinetic friction. d. All of the choices.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is d. All of the choices.
Explanation:
Friction is a resistive force that opposes the relative motion between two surfaces in contact. There are two main types of friction: static friction and kinetic friction. Below are the key differences and how they relate to each of the options provided:
- Option a: “The object is not moving for static friction to apply while the object is sliding for kinetic friction to apply.”
- This statement is correct. Static friction acts when an object is at rest relative to the surface it’s in contact with. It prevents the object from starting to slide. Once the object starts moving, kinetic friction comes into play and resists the sliding motion of the object across the surface.
- Option b: “Static friction ranges from zero to a maximum value while kinetic friction is constant.”
- This is also true. Static friction can vary depending on the applied force and the nature of the surfaces in contact. It starts at zero (when no force is applied) and increases to a maximum limit, known as the maximum static friction. Once the object starts moving, kinetic friction is usually a constant force that depends on the nature of the surfaces but does not vary as the applied force changes (unless external factors such as speed or surface conditions are altered).
- Option c: “Coefficient of static friction tends to be greater than the coefficient of kinetic friction.”
- This is generally true. The coefficient of static friction (denoted as μₛ) is typically higher than the coefficient of kinetic friction (denoted as μₖ). This means that it usually takes more force to start moving an object than to keep it moving once it’s already in motion. The increased resistance during the initiation of motion is because the microscopic asperities (roughness) of the two surfaces are interlocked more tightly when stationary.
Therefore, all of the options (a, b, c) are correct, making the best answer d. All of the choices.
I will now generate an image that visually explains the difference between static and kinetic friction.
Here’s an illustration that visually compares static and kinetic friction. It shows the object at rest with static friction resisting motion and the same object in motion with kinetic friction. The coefficients of static and kinetic friction are also labeled to highlight the difference between the two.
