I propose a new theory
It is said that every action has an equal and opposite reaction: the first law of motion. So how does friction fit into all of this, because wouldn’t it be like a combination of two laws?
Obviously it starts with an action of an object, so we can’t ignore the fact that there is a reaction as well. If there truly is an equal and opposite reaction, then the friction comes from the other object’s moving equally against the primary object’s force of action. Take a pencil for example: if you are trying to erase something, the friction includes the eraser moving one way, and the paper putting on the equal and opposite force. So you might say that the paper would be moving back and forth against the eraser, or at least has the force equivalent to doing so. Now, because there is such a thing called gravity which puts force on the paper to stay on the table- or whatever it may be resting on- the paper and the table are theoretically a single unit. And provided there is sufficient force keeping the paper attached to the table- your hand, perhaps- then the table becomes part of the force which the paper is now acting against the eraser. As long as gravity remains intact, the force that has made the paper and table a single unit is also affecting the table and whatever the table may be resting on, and continues on to the center of the earth which is the center of gravity. If this is the case, then the earth is also putting an equal and opposite force against the eraser.
So, you might think of it this way: Since the earth, the table, and the paper which are all connected by gravity are putting the same amount of opposing force on the eraser, why can’t we say that the earth, the paper, and everything in between is erasing the pencil?
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mentalgraffiti posted this
