Explain: "Static friction force opposes impending motion".

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Consider a box lying on the floor of a train compartment.
When the train accelerates, the floor of the train tends to move forward relative to the box.
Due to inertia, the box tends to remain in its original position, which is the 'impending motion' relative to the floor.
Static friction $(f_{s})$ acts between the box and the floor in the forward direction (the same direction as the train's acceleration).
This force provides the necessary acceleration to the box to keep it stationary relative to the train.
If there were no friction, the floor would slide forward, and the box would appear to move backward relative to the compartment.
Since the box moves with the train without sliding, the static friction force effectively opposes this relative sliding tendency (impending motion).
Thus, static friction acts to prevent the relative motion that would occur if the surfaces were frictionless.

Explore More

Similar Questions

If a pushing force making an angle $\alpha$ with the horizontal is applied on a block of mass $m$ placed on a horizontal table and the angle of friction is $\beta$,then the minimum magnitude of the force required to move the block is

Difficult
View Solution

The maximum static frictional force is

$A$ body of mass $10 \ kg$ slides along a rough horizontal surface. The coefficient of friction is $1/\sqrt{3}$. Taking $g = 10 \ m/s^2$,the least force which acts at an angle of $30^\circ$ to the horizontal is ...... $N$.

Impending relative motion is opposed by which type of friction?

If the coefficient of friction is $\sqrt{3}$,what is the angle of friction between the two surfaces in contact (in $^{\circ}$)?

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo