Science Common Sense

1255 - What is the difference between static friction and dynamic friction.

Imagine you're trying to move a heavy box on the floor.

• Static friction is like a brake that helps keep the box from moving when it's standing still. It's the force that stops the box from sliding when you first try to push or pull it.

• Dynamic friction (also known as kinetic friction) is like a slow-down force that happens when the box is already moving. It makes the box slower and slower until it finally stops.

So, static friction stops things from starting to move, and dynamic friction slows things down when they're already moving. Both types of friction help prevent slipping and sliding, but they work at different times.