Friction

5 fundamental differences between inertia and 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?

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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