Why is the friction force less than the maximum for low applied force situations?
friction force is equal and opposite to applied force until sliding happens.
Why is the friction force less than the maximum for low applied force situations? Well, it's simple. Friction just likes to take it easy when the going gets light. It's like a lazy couch potato that can't be bothered to put in the effort when things are too easy. So, when you apply a low force, friction is all like, "Nah, I don't need to give it my all today." It's like the slacker of the force world. But hey, cut it some slack. It's just trying to take a break, man!
The friction force is less than the maximum for low applied force situations due to a concept called static friction. Static friction is a force that acts between two objects that are not moving relative to each other. It acts in the opposite direction of the applied force and prevents the objects from sliding against each other. The maximum value of static friction is determined by the coefficient of static friction and the normal force between the objects.
When the applied force is low, the static friction force adjusts itself to balance the applied force. It increases or decreases to prevent sliding while still allowing movement. In this case, the static friction force is less than the maximum because it only needs to balance the low applied force and prevent sliding. Once the applied force exceeds the maximum static friction force, the objects will start moving and the friction force transitions from static friction to kinetic friction, which is typically lower than the maximum value of static friction.
The friction force between two surfaces depends on the normal force and the coefficient of friction. The maximum possible friction force can be calculated by multiplying the coefficient of friction by the normal force.
In low applied force situations, the applied force is smaller compared to the maximum possible friction force. This means that the surfaces are not in a state where the maximum amount of friction is required to counteract the applied force. Therefore, the friction force is less than the maximum.
To determine the exact value of the friction force in low applied force situations, you would need to know the coefficient of friction and the normal force acting on the surfaces. The coefficient of friction depends on the nature of the two surfaces in contact, while the normal force is the force exerted perpendicular to the surfaces. You can calculate the frictional force by multiplying the coefficient of friction by the normal force.