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Question 84 of 89

Q.Compare the salient features of Static and Kinetic Friction.

Tamil Nadu DgeTamil Nadu HSC First Year (DGE) Board 2025Subjective· 3mImportance★★★★★
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Static friction is self-adjusting (0 up to mu_s N) and acts before motion starts; kinetic friction is roughly constant (mu_k N) and acts during sliding; since mu_k < mu_s, more force is needed to start motion than to sustain it.

Static Friction:

  • Acts between two surfaces in contact that have NO relative motion (the object is at rest relative to the surface, even if other forces are trying to move it).
  • It is self-adjusting: its magnitude automatically equals whatever applied force is needed to keep the object from sliding, UP TO a maximum value.
  • Maximum value (limiting friction): f_s(max) = mu_s N, where mu_s is the coefficient of static friction and N is the normal reaction.
  • Once the applied force exceeds this maximum, the object starts to slide.

Kinetic (Sliding) Friction:

  • Acts between two surfaces that ARE sliding relative to each other.
  • Its magnitude is (to a good approximation) constant: f_k = mu_k N, and does not depend on the relative sliding speed or the contact area.
  • mu_k (coefficient of kinetic friction) is always LESS than mu_s (coefficient of static friction) for the same pair of surfaces. …

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