Forces Archives - Probing the Universe

5 fundamental differences between inertia and friction

Post published:September 3, 2023
Post category:Forces Friction

The best way to understand the fundamental differences between inertia and friction is with an example. So, we’ll lead with that.

Let’s say you are riding the bus home after a long day at work. The bus is crowded. You are standing, supporting yourself with the overhead rails. Suddenly, the driver slams on the brakes.

Your body lurches forward involuntarily – this is inertia. However, simultaneously, you intuitively tighten your grab on overhead rails, preventing yourself from smashing into the gentleman ahead of you. This is friction.

Over the course of this article, we will revise five (5) fundamental differences between inertia and friction.

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Where does the force of friction come from?

Post published:September 2, 2023
Post category:Forces Friction

If this article was a movie, it would probably be titled Friction: Origin Story and it would portray how a good guy developed into a notorious villain.

In many ways, the force of friction feels like a villain of some kind in the study of mechanics. When every other force seems to be doing some credible work, the force of friction is just there to oppose them.

But as we shall soon find out, when you take a deeper look, you will realize that friction comes from a rough background – no pun intended!

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Why does the force of friction exist?

Post published:August 30, 2023
Post category:Forces Friction

It seems like it would save us all a lot of trouble if the force of friction simply disappears.

5 differences between force and energy; with real life examples

Post published:April 21, 2023
Post category:Analysis Forces

Two of the most ancient and fundamental concepts in physics are still widely misunderstood and confused today.

What is normal force?

Post published:January 12, 2023
Post category:Analysis Forces

The term ‘normal force’ might be misleading to some, especially those without a background in mathematics. It may seem to suggest that the force in the question is straightforward, ordinary,…

Centrifugal force Vs centripetal force

Post published:October 30, 2022
Post category:Analysis Forces

You may have heard or read the following statements in relation to centrifugal force and centripetal force:

“Centrifugal force isn’t a real force.”

“It depends on the frame of reference.”

“They both act on the same body but in opposite directions.”

To be clear, only one of the three statements above is correct. This goes to show that there is quite a bit of confusion and misunderstanding between the two concepts. Hopefully, this article will clear up some of the air so that by the end of it, one can clearly and accurately distinguish the two.

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