2007-12-05 03:28:22 · 4 answers · asked by Alexander 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
My mommy says it can't.
2007-12-05 03:40:08 · update #1
I've heard of a gravity field, electrostatic field and a potato field, but never a friction field.
Problem is that friction is not a conservative force. You go one direction and you lose energy and you turn around and go the other way and you lose energy. In contrast, with a conservative force field, you gain energy when you switch directions.
From a thermodynamic point of view, friction is non-reversible. It just generates heat and more entropy.
2007-12-05 04:47:14 · answer #1 · answered by Frst Grade Rocks! Ω 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well from a novices point of view i think the reason why is because you can't really turn friction into work energy...
That's not saying you couldn't feasible create it so that friction has a kinetic output, but I just haven't heard of it...
That's alls i's gots...
Cheers
2007-12-05 11:40:33 · answer #2 · answered by reverendlovejoy75 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only forces that have certain special properties (they are called "conservative" forces) can have potential energy functions defined for them. Friction does not share the properties required.
2007-12-05 11:39:14 · answer #3 · answered by Steve H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who says it can't? Although it would only be able to apply to a narrow range of applications due to the assumptions you would have to use in the formulas.
2007-12-05 11:32:32 · answer #4 · answered by Mic K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋