If you increase the mass of an object, what happens to the force of friction?

If you increase the mass of an object, what happens to the force of friction?

• A. It remains the same
• B. It decreases
• C. It increases
• D. It becomes zero

Answer: (C)

When the mass of an object is increased, the force of friction between that object and the surface it is on typically increases. This is due to the relationship defined by the equation for frictional force, which states that friction is proportional to the normal force acting on the object. The normal force is generally equal to the weight of the object, which is calculated as the mass of the object multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity. As the mass increases, the weight increases accordingly, leading to a greater normal force. Since frictional force is dependent on this normal force, an increase in mass results in a corresponding increase in the frictional force. Therefore, as mass increases, the force of friction increases, helping to ensure that the object remains in contact with the surface and resisting any sliding motion that might occur.

When the mass of an object is increased, the force of friction between that object and the surface it is on typically increases. This is due to the relationship defined by the equation for frictional force, which states that friction is proportional to the normal force acting on the object. The normal force is generally equal to the weight of the object, which is calculated as the mass of the object multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity.

As the mass increases, the weight increases accordingly, leading to a greater normal force. Since frictional force is dependent on this normal force, an increase in mass results in a corresponding increase in the frictional force. Therefore, as mass increases, the force of friction increases, helping to ensure that the object remains in contact with the surface and resisting any sliding motion that might occur.