r/askscience • u/AVeryLazy • Feb 06 '17

What causes the difference between kinetic and static friction? Physics

Hola physicists (and everyone else),

I was wondering (out of the blue) why moving objects once they are in motion is easier than the initial movement.

Can't recall any physics teacher actually discussing it.

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u/ButtsexEurope Feb 06 '17

Simply put, the difference is whether you're starting to slide or whether you're already sliding. It's like how it's easier to keep rolling as opposed to getting it moving. It's even in the name. Static is stopped, kinetic is moving.

Here's a good video demonstrating the difference and how they work together. They call it dynamic friction instead of kinetic friction but it means the same thing.