Home
Back
Kinetic Friction Formula:
| From: | To: |
Kinetic friction is the force that opposes the relative motion between two surfaces in contact when they are moving against each other. It is generally less than static friction and remains relatively constant once motion has started.
The kinetic friction formula is:
Where:
Explanation: The kinetic friction force is directly proportional to the normal force and depends on the materials in contact through the coefficient of kinetic friction.
Details: Calculating kinetic friction is essential for understanding motion dynamics, designing mechanical systems, predicting stopping distances, and analyzing energy dissipation in moving systems.
Tips: Enter the coefficient of kinetic friction (a dimensionless value typically between 0 and 1) and the normal force in newtons. Both values must be non-negative.
Q1: What's the difference between static and kinetic friction?
A: Static friction prevents motion between stationary surfaces, while kinetic friction opposes motion between surfaces that are already moving relative to each other.
Q2: Does kinetic friction depend on surface area?
A: No, kinetic friction is independent of the contact surface area for most materials, as it depends only on the normal force and the coefficient of friction.
Q3: How is the coefficient of kinetic friction determined?
A: It is determined experimentally by measuring the force required to maintain constant velocity and dividing by the normal force.
Q4: Does kinetic friction depend on velocity?
A: For most materials, kinetic friction is relatively constant with velocity, though some materials may show slight variations.
Q5: Can kinetic friction be greater than static friction?
A: Typically no, static friction is usually greater than kinetic friction for the same surfaces, which is why it's harder to start moving an object than to keep it moving.