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Static and Kinetic Frictional Force

Static and Kinetic Frictional Force

One of the simpler characteristics of sliding friction is that it is parallel to the contact surfaces between systems, and is always in a direction that opposes the motion or attempted motion of the systems relative to each other. If two systems are in contact and moving relative to one another, then the friction between them is called kinetic friction. For example, kinetic friction slows a hockey puck sliding on ice.
However, if two systems are in contact and are stationary relative to one...

Types of Friction Problems

Types of Friction Problems

Friction is an essential concept in physics, engineering, and everyday life. It is the force that opposes the relative motion or tendency of such motion between two surfaces in contact. One of the most common types of friction encountered in various applications is dry friction. Dry friction problems can be broadly categorized into three types, each with unique characteristics and challenges.
The first type of dry friction problem involves situations where there is no apparent impending motion.

Frictional Force

Frictional Force

When a body is in motion, it encounters resistance because the body interacts with its surroundings. This resistance is known as friction, a common yet complex force whose behavior is still not completely understood. Friction opposes relative motion between systems in contact, but also allows us to move. Friction arises in part due to the roughness of surfaces in contact. For one object to move along a surface, it must rise to where the peaks of the surface can skip along the bottom of the...

Static Friction

Static Friction

Static friction is a force that opposes the relative motion or tendency of motion between two surfaces in contact. It plays a crucial role in our daily lives, from walking on the ground to driving a car.
For example, consider a scenario where a truck is connected to a car by a rope, ready to tow it along a road. When no external force is applied by the truck, the car remains stationary and is said to be in static equilibrium. In this case, the forces acting on the car, such as gravity and the...

Kinetic Friction

Kinetic Friction

Consider a truck trying to pull a stationary car. As the truck exerts a force on the car, static friction is created at the point of contact between the two surfaces. This frictional force resists the car's movement and keeps it at rest. However, when the applied force by the truck surpasses the limiting static frictional force, an interesting phenomenon occurs. The frictional force at the interface reduces to a lower value, known as the kinetic frictional force. At this point, the car begins...

Dry Friction

Dry Friction

Dry friction occurs between two solid surfaces in contact as they attempt to move relative to one another. In daily life, dry friction is encountered in various forms, such as when walking on the ground, sliding an object across a table, or rubbing hands together. Despite its ubiquity, the underlying mechanisms behind dry friction are not readily visible.
To illustrate this concept, imagine a wooden crate resting on a rough, non-uniform horizontal surface. When an external force is applied to...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Preparation and Friction Force Microscopy Measurements of Immiscible, Opposing Polymer Brushes

Preparation and Friction Force Microscopy Measurements of Immiscible, Opposing Polymer Brushes

Published on: December 24, 2014

Isostaticity at frictional jamming.

Stefanos Papanikolaou¹, Corey S O'Hern, Mark D Shattuck

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.

Physical Review Letters

|May 28, 2013

Summary

Frictional granular packings can be isostatic, challenging previous assumptions. This study reveals that mesoscale friction details are crucial for understanding the mechanical stability and properties of granular materials.

Area of Science:

Physics
Materials Science
Mechanical Engineering

Background:

Amorphous packings of frictionless particles are isostatic at jamming onset.
Frictional granular packings are typically hyperstatic, with properties governed by interparticle contacts.
Isostaticity is a key concept in understanding the mechanical behavior of granular materials.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of isostaticity in frictional granular packings using the geometrical asperity (GA) model.
To compare the GA model with the Cundall-Strack approach for simulating frictional particle packings.
To determine how mesoscale friction features influence the structural and mechanical properties of granular packings.

Main Methods:

Extensive numerical simulations in two dimensions.

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Utilizing the geometrical asperity (GA) model for static friction.

Comparing packing fraction, contact number, mobilization distribution, and vibrational density of states.

Main Results:

Static packings of frictional disks using the GA model are mechanically stable and isostatic.
A crossover from frictionless to frictional behavior is observed with increasing static friction coefficient.
This crossover correlates with changes in interparticle contacts and vibrational mode density.

Conclusions:

Mesoscale features of static friction models significantly impact granular packing properties.
The GA model demonstrates that frictional granular packings can achieve isostaticity.
Understanding friction at the asperity level is essential for predicting granular material behavior.