Static friction

Static friction is friction between two solid objects that are not moving relative to each other. For example, static friction can prevent an object from sliding down a sloped surface. The coefficient of static friction, typically denoted as s, is usually higher than the coefficient of kinetic friction. The static friction force must be overcome by an applied force before an object can move. The maximum possible friction force between two surfaces before sliding begins is the product of the coefficient of static friction and the normal force: . When there is no sliding occurring, the friction force can have any value from zero up to . Any force smaller than attempting to slide one surface over the other is opposed by a frictional force of equal magnitude and opposite direction. Any force larger than overcomes the force of static friction and causes sliding to occur. The instant sliding occurs, static friction is no longer applicablethe friction between the two surfaces is then called kinetic friction. An example of static friction is the force that prevents a car wheel from slipping as it rolls on the ground. Even though the wheel is in motion, the patch of the tire in contact with the ground is stationary relative to the ground, so it is static rather than kinetic friction. The maximum value of static friction, when motion is impending, is sometimes referred to as limiting friction.

Static Friction
Static friction is the friction experienced when we try to move a stationary body on a surface, without actually causing any relative motion between the body and the surface which it is on. It can be defined as the force of friction which exactly balances the applied force during the stationary state of the body. Static frictional force is a self-adjusting force. i.e., the static friction will always be equal and opposite to the force applied.

Consider the figure, R is the reaction force due to the weight W. fr is the friction and F the external force. F = -fr when no motion occurs.

Laws of static friction

The maximum force of static friction is independent of the area of contact. The maximum force of static friction is proportional to the normal force i.e., if the normal force increases, the maximum external force that the body can withstand without moving, also increases.

Limiting friction It is the maximum value of static friction which comes into play when a body is just about to slide over the surface of another body. For an applied external force greater than the limiting friction, the body begins to move. Once motion has begun, static friction cannot be considered. A new type of friction called kinetic friction comes into play. Laws of limiting friction

The direction of limiting frictional force is always opposite the direction of motion. Limiting friction acts tangential to the two surfaces in contact. The magnitude of limiting friction is directly proportional to the normal reaction between the two surfaces. The limiting friction depends upon the material, the nature of the surfaces in contact and their smoothness. For any two given surfaces, the magnitude of limiting friction is independent of the shape or the area of the surfaces in contact so long as the normal reaction remains the same.

Static Friction
Static friction prevents an object from moving against a surface. It is the force that keeps a book from sliding off a desk, even when the desk is slightly tilted, and that allows you to pick up an object without the object slipping through your fingers. In order to move something, you must first overcome the force of static friction between the object and the surface on which it is resting. This force depends on the coefficient of static friction (s) between the object and the surface and the normal force (N) of the object.