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What happens to the contact points on a surface when an object starts sliding?
  • a)
    They interlock more
  • b)
    They do not get enough time to interlock
  • c)
    They become magnetic
  • d)
    They disappear
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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What happens to the contact points on a surface when an object starts ...
When an object starts sliding, the contact points on its surface do not get enough time to lock into the contact points on the other surface, reducing friction.
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What happens to the contact points on a surface when an object starts ...
Understanding Contact Points During Sliding
When an object begins to slide across a surface, the behavior of contact points between the two surfaces changes significantly. The correct answer, option 'B', highlights the fact that these contact points do not get enough time to interlock.
Mechanics of Sliding
- Contact Points: When two surfaces are in contact, there are microscopic irregularities that create contact points. These points determine the frictional forces acting between the surfaces.
- Interlocking Mechanism: In a stationary state, these irregularities can interlock, providing resistance against motion. This interlocking is crucial for static friction, which is generally higher than kinetic friction.
Effect of Sliding
- Rapid Movement: As the object starts to slide, the movement occurs quickly, not allowing enough time for the contact points to fully interlock.
- Reduced Friction: This lack of interlocking leads to a decrease in frictional force, which is why sliding objects often move more easily than those that are stationary.
- Dynamic Friction: Once sliding begins, the friction experienced is kinetic friction, which is typically lower than static friction. This is due to the fact that the surfaces are not in prolonged contact to establish a strong interlocking effect.
Conclusion
In summary, when an object transitions from rest to sliding, the rapid movement prevents sufficient time for contact points to interlock effectively. This dynamic significantly reduces the frictional forces at play, allowing the object to slide more freely across the surface. Understanding this mechanism is crucial in fields such as physics and engineering, particularly in the study of motion and forces.
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Community Answer
What happens to the contact points on a surface when an object starts ...
Friction
 is caused by the interlocking of irregularities in the two surfaces. When the object starts sliding, the contact points on its surface, do not get enough time to lock into the contact points of the other surface.
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