Smooth vs Rough Friction

Learning objectives

Use the prepared scene to investigate the following physical ideas:

• Kinetic friction
• Net force
• Deceleration

Available controls

The workspace lets you pause and play the scene, select its objects, edit the starting properties described below, reset the scene, and inspect configured live graph measurements.

1. Both blocks start with the same mass and horizontal speed.
2. Press Play.
3. Compare speed and net-force traces, then edit either friction coefficient.

Expected observations

• The rough-surface block loses speed faster.
• Friction opposes the direction of sliding.
• The smooth-surface block travels farther before stopping.

Model limitations

Friction is represented by authored static and kinetic coefficients rather than a detailed microscopic surface model.

Simulation output is educational and approximate. Verify important results with independent calculations or physical measurements.