We slip while walking on a path having pond scum or green algae becaus...
The correct answer is The friction between the feet and the path is reduced.
Important Points
- Friction is a force between two surfaces that are sliding, or trying to slide, across each other.
- For example, when you try to push or pull luggage along the floor, friction makes this difficult.
- Friction always works in the opposite of the direction in which the object is moving or trying to move.
There are four types of friction:
- Static Friction: Static friction acts on objects when they are resting on a surface.
- For example, hiking in the woods, there is static friction between shoes and the trail each time put down the foot.
- Without this static friction, feet would slip out and making it difficult to walk.
- Sliding Friction: Sliding friction is friction that acts on objects when they are sliding over a surface.
Note: Sliding friction is weaker than static friction.
- Rolling Friction: Rolling friction is friction that acts on objects when they are rolling over a surface.
- Rolling friction is much weaker than sliding friction or static friction.
- For example, ground transportation use wheels, including bicycles, cars, 4-wheelers, roller skates, scooters, skateboards, Ball bearings.
- Fluid Friction: Fluid friction is friction that acts on objects that are moving through a fluid.
- A fluid is a substance that can flow and take the shape of its container. Fluids include liquids and gases.
We slip while walking on a path having pond scum or green algae becaus...
Why we slip while walking on a path with pond scum or green algae?
The correct answer is option 'D', which states that the friction between the feet and the path is reduced. Let's understand why this is the correct answer in detail.
The concept of friction:
Friction is the force that opposes the relative motion between two surfaces in contact. It plays a crucial role in our daily lives, allowing us to walk, hold objects, and perform various tasks requiring grip.
Factors affecting friction:
Friction depends on several factors, including the nature of the surfaces in contact and the force pressing them together. When there is an increase in the roughness of the surfaces or an increase in the force pressing them together, the friction between the surfaces also increases.
Effect of pond scum or green algae on friction:
When we walk on a path covered with pond scum or green algae, the surface becomes slimy and slippery. This slimy layer reduces the friction between our feet and the path, making it easier for us to slip.
1. Reduction in surface roughness: Pond scum or green algae create a slimy layer on the path, which reduces the roughness of the surface. The slimy layer acts as a lubricant, making it difficult for our feet to grip onto the surface.
2. Reduction in force pressing the surfaces together: As we step on the slimy surface, the force pressing our feet against the path decreases due to the lubricating effect of the pond scum or green algae. This reduced force diminishes the friction between our feet and the path, further increasing the chances of slipping.
Consequences of reduced friction:
When the friction between our feet and the path is reduced, we experience a lack of grip and stability. This can lead to slipping and loss of balance, which can cause falls, injuries, and accidents.
In summary, the presence of pond scum or green algae on a path reduces the friction between our feet and the surface. The slimy layer acts as a lubricant, decreasing the surface roughness and the force pressing the surfaces together. This reduction in friction makes it easier for us to slip while walking on such a path.
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