answersLogoWhite

0

Friction does NOT vary depending upon whether an object is pushed or pulled. The frictional force (static or dynamic) is proportional to the normal force, the force that counteracts and exactly matches the weight of an object that is at rest (or moving at constant velocity). The frictional force will oppose the direction of the force applied to an object to move it. It matters not whether the object is pulled (using a tensile force) or pushed (using a compressive force). Besides F = ma, another good concept to always keep in mind when discussing motion problems is this: the sum of the forces on an object moving at constant velocity is zero. An object that is at rest has a constant velocity of zero; hence, the sum of the forces acting upon it must be zero. If you place a book on a level desktop, for example, the book will just sit there. The force due to gravity (i.e., weight) is matched perfectly by a force -- the normal force -- equal and opposite in direction. The sum of all the forces on the book, therefore, is zero. If you apply to the book a force parallel to the desktop, the book will move (once the force of static friction as been overcome). When it moves, its velocity is no longer zero, so there was a change in its velocity. We can therefore conclude that the book accelerated, however briefly. During the brief period that the book accelerated, we know that the sum of the forces acting on the book was non-zero. The force you applied to the book to get it moving was sufficient to overcome the frictional force that resisted your efforts to move the book. When the book's velocity reaches a constant value, the sum of the forces acting on the book is again zero. When the book starts to slow down, the sum of the forces is non-zero, and when the book comes to rest again, the sum of the forces acting on it is, once again, zero. A THOUGHT: If you push or pull exactly horizontal then the friction force should be the same. In practice however, you often push at a downward angle. Only part of your applied force is horizontal. The other part is vertically down. This adds to the object's weight and the Normal force increases and then so will friction, as it is proportional to the normal force. When you pull, you frequently pull at an upward angle. The vertical part of your applied force is up which subtracts from the object's weight, resulting in a smaller Normal force and a smaller frictional force.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Physics

What type of friction is Throwing?

Throwing involves dynamic friction, which is the type of friction that occurs between two surfaces in relative motion. When an object is thrown, the friction between the object and the hand provides the force needed to accelerate the object and give it velocity.


What two things can you do to increase friction on an object?

You can increase friction on an object by increasing the roughness of the surface it's in contact with or by applying more pressure between the two surfaces. Additionally, you can add materials that have high cohesiveness and adhesiveness to enhance friction between the surfaces.


What is the friction of two objects that are not moving called?

The friction between two objects that are not moving is called static friction. It is the force that resists the initial motion of an object at rest.


Can an object have both static and kinetic friction?

Yes, an object can experience both static and kinetic friction. Static friction occurs when the object is stationary, and kinetic friction occurs when the object is in motion. The transition between the two types of friction can occur when an external force is applied to overcome the static friction and set the object in motion.


What is the relationship between friction and unbalanced force?

Friction is a force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact. When there is an unbalanced force acting on an object, it can overcome the force of friction and cause the object to accelerate. In situations where the unbalanced force is less than the force of friction, the object will remain at rest.

Related Questions

What type of friction is Throwing?

Throwing involves dynamic friction, which is the type of friction that occurs between two surfaces in relative motion. When an object is thrown, the friction between the object and the hand provides the force needed to accelerate the object and give it velocity.


What are the two factors that determine the strength of the force friction between two sliding object?

no


What two things can you do to increase friction on an object?

You can increase friction on an object by increasing the roughness of the surface it's in contact with or by applying more pressure between the two surfaces. Additionally, you can add materials that have high cohesiveness and adhesiveness to enhance friction between the surfaces.


What is the friction of two objects that are not moving called?

The friction between two objects that are not moving is called static friction. It is the force that resists the initial motion of an object at rest.


The two common forms of friction between two sliding surfaces presented in this course are?

Friction refers to the resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another. The two common forms of friction between two sliding surfaces are static friction and rolling friction.


Can an object have both static and kinetic friction?

Yes, an object can experience both static and kinetic friction. Static friction occurs when the object is stationary, and kinetic friction occurs when the object is in motion. The transition between the two types of friction can occur when an external force is applied to overcome the static friction and set the object in motion.


What is the relationship between friction and unbalanced force?

Friction is a force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact. When there is an unbalanced force acting on an object, it can overcome the force of friction and cause the object to accelerate. In situations where the unbalanced force is less than the force of friction, the object will remain at rest.


Riction between two flat surfaces can be divided into two categories What are the two most common kinds of friction?

The two most common kinds of friction are static friction, which occurs when an object is at rest and resists being moved, and kinetic friction, which occurs when an object is in motion and resists being accelerated or decelerated.


What are the three types of friction and when does each apply?

There are three types of friction, static friction, rolling friction, and sliding friction. Static friction is friction between two surfaces that aren't moving relatively to each other. Rolling friction is friction between a rolling object and the surface that it is rolling on. Sliding friction is friction where an object slides, or rubs against, another surface.


What two factors determine the strength of friction between the two objects?

Two factors that determine the strength of friction between two objects is the smoothness of the surfaces in contact, and the weight of the object moving horizontally.


What is the difference with static friction and kinetic friction?

static friction is the friction between two bodies they are in contact. And another sliding over the other. Kinetic friction is the friction between two bodies they are rolling .And that force is opposite to the rolling angle


What is the two object rubbed together.?

When two objects are rubbed together, friction is created. Friction is the force that resists the motion between two surfaces in contact. Rubbing two objects together can generate heat due to the friction produced between them.