Friction Conceptual Doubt

IF FRICTION AND NORMAL FORCES ARE COMPONENTS OF CONTACT FORCES [as given in HC Verma ],then when horizontal component [ ie friction ] increases , vertical component [ ie Normal force ] decreases ..therefore they should be indirectly proportional.

THEN HOW WILL :

f directly proportional to N

and

f=[mu].N ...........be correct ??

3 Answers

62
Lokesh Verma ·

A very different explanation :P

no that is not the case..
it is like saying that a person;s attraction to his parents depends on his upbringing...

so the force of attraction between the mother and father are teh components..
but does that mean that if you are attracted more to the father then you will be attracted less to your mother? It generally would mean that you like both of them more and you will be attracted to both of them higher ...

I know it is not a physical explanation.. but i hope it gets away the bias in your mind that if a increases then b decreases..

62
Lokesh Verma ·

see the thing is that you have a and b

a+b is the total force (ofcourse i have ignored them being vectors for this explanation)

a+b increases

now if a increases, then does it mean that b will decrease?

24
eureka123 ·

I think u r confused between max friction and applied friction force

max friction=μ.N
where N =normal reaction between bodies in contact

So max friction is characteristic property of bodies in contact (in case u dont try to change normal reaction by applying some force along/against the normal reaction)

Friction force which acts is always Applied friction which is equal to applied external force so as to prevent relative sliding.
which in no way depends upon normal reaction..

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