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Re: Friction

Just a quick non-analytic reply.
The approximation that the frictional force is independent
of the area is just that - an approximation. The frictional
force is dependent on the area since that effects the stress
applied to the surface which actually does change the frictional
force. I'm sure others on the list can explain more fully.

foleyr@uwstout.edu

At 08:53 AM 10/29/98 -0500, you wrote:
Hi,

I was wondering if someone could help me with a demonstration I have had
trouble with. I place a block of wood on a tilted desk and tilt it to
the angle that just makes the block move and secure the desk. Then I put
the block on another edge (with a different surface area) to show that the
frictional force and the coefficient of friction do not change with
surface area. The problem is that the block always stays put on the side
with the large surface area and slides on the side with the small surface
area. Any explanations? Thanks in adavance for any help.

John DaCorte