On a force diagram, why do kinetic friction and static friction point different ways?
Say you have a book sliding down an incline to the right. If it is not moving yet, then static friction is up the incline to the left.
Why, if it IS moving, is kinetic friction down the incline, to the right?
2007-02-18 12:48:25 · 4 answers · asked by servinit2me 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The book is at rest. A force tends to pull it down. Friction opposes it and acts up the incline to the left.
When the book slides down the plane to the right, kinetic friction acts and it also acts up the incline to the left. ( Not to the right as stated by you)
If the book moves up the incline to the left, then alone the kinetic friction will act down the incline to the right.
2007-02-18 18:02:49 · answer #1 · answered by Pearlsawme 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In both cases the friction is up the incline to the left.
Friction always points in the opposite direction of motion or (if there is no motion), in the direction opposite the way the object would move without friction.
2007-02-18 21:10:01 · answer #2 · answered by Thomas G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure you are right? Friction is always in the direction opposite the motion.
2007-02-18 20:52:01 · answer #3 · answered by . 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kinetic is moving and static isnt necessarily
2007-02-18 20:56:19 · answer #4 · answered by blehh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋