Which of the following statements is correct about friction?a)The coef...
- The coefficient of friction between a given pair of substances is independent of the area of contact between them.
- μ > 1 for copper on cast iron.
- Rolling friction is much smaller than sliding friction. Irregularity of the surfaces in contact is not a main contributor of friction
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Which of the following statements is correct about friction?a)The coef...
Friction and its properties:
Friction is a force that opposes the relative motion or tendency of motion between two surfaces in contact. It is caused by the microscopic irregularities on the surfaces in contact. Friction plays a significant role in our daily lives and is involved in various phenomena such as walking, driving, and even writing.
Statement analysis:
Let's analyze each statement and determine its correctness:
a) The coefficient of friction between a given pair of substances is largely independent of the area of contact between them:
This statement is correct. The coefficient of friction is a property that depends on the nature of the surfaces in contact and not on the area of contact. It is a dimensionless quantity that represents the ratio of the frictional force to the normal force. The coefficient of friction remains constant regardless of the area of contact between the surfaces.
b) The frictional force can never exceed the reaction force on the body from the support surface:
This statement is correct. According to Newton's third law of motion, the frictional force between two surfaces is directly proportional to the normal force pressing the surfaces together. The frictional force can never exceed the maximum value of the force exerted by the surfaces in contact.
c) Rolling friction is only slightly smaller than sliding friction:
This statement is incorrect. Rolling friction is generally much smaller than sliding friction. When an object rolls over a surface, the contact points between the object and the surface keep changing, reducing the area of contact and thereby reducing the frictional force compared to sliding friction.
d) The main source of friction is the irregularity of the surfaces in contact:
This statement is correct. The irregularities or roughness on the surfaces in contact create interlocking between them. This interlocking leads to the generation of frictional forces. The greater the irregularities or roughness, the larger the frictional force.
Conclusion:
Among the given statements, only statement a) is correct. The coefficient of friction between two substances is largely independent of the area of contact between them. The other statements either make incorrect comparisons between different types of friction or do not accurately describe the properties of friction.
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