Question

Explain why sliding friction is less than static friction.

Answer 1

When irregularities present on the surfaces of two objects in contact get interlocked with each other, friction comes into play.

During sliding, when the object is in motion, the irregularities of the moving object do not get much time to interlock with the irregularities on the surface.

Since the interlocking is less, the frictional force will also be less.

Therefore, less force is required to overcome this interlocking. Due to this reason, sliding friction is less than static friction.