[Physics] Why does the co-efficent of kinetic friction of a block on an inclined plane not change when you increase the angle of the plane

forcesfriction

The coefficient of kinetic friction can be calculated using $\mu_k = F_k/F_n$. A change in angle does not affect the normal force, but doesn't a change in angle affect the friction? As in if the angle is steeper, wouldn't the object have a greater propensity to move down the slope, thus there will be less friction?

Best Answer

The normal force does decrease with angle. This does not mean that the coefficient of friction changes:

We can, depending on the angle $\theta$ of the slope, split the gravitational force $F_g = mg$ acting upon a thing with mass $m$ resting on the slope into the normal force $F_n = mg \cos(\theta)$ and the force pointing down the slope, $F_s = mg\sin(\theta)$.

Now, the coefficient of friction is a property of materials, and does not change with the angle - but it is the case that the friction force will decrease since it is $F_k = \mu_kF_n$. The "greater propensity" of things to slide down steeper inclined slopes is due to the friction force decreasing, and due to the force pointing down the slope increasing with increasing angle.

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