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Q:

Is friction a self adjusting force?

A:

Friction (like friction drag) is a contact force which results from two surfaces contacting each other. Static friction is considered a self adjusting force because it wants to the objects to remain at rest and not move. Therefore, if an external force is applied, the static friction force will equal the magnitude of the external force, until it surpasses the threshold of motion. At this point, static friction becomes kinetic friction and the object begins to move.

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