[Shotimes] Re: Friction on ice & snow

[Donald Mallinson]

Alan,

Just to clarify so we don't get into anything big, just left 
that with Dave.

I am admitting, and have from the start, that weight does 
have an effect on friction.  The point though is that in the 
dynamics of driving, the added weight also effects inertia. 
  This is where the practice of adding weight can have an 
adverse effect on actually driving on LOW friction surfaces. 
  The effect is the same on high friction (summer dry) 
surfaces, but the CF is such that the effect is masked till 
you get into something like a slalom.

When the surface is very slick, the amount of added traction 
from weight alone is minimal compared to other forces.

Make sense?

Don

Alan Fanning wrote:

> Going from memory here, but I believe the Force imparted on an object
> sliding over another is the product of the friction coefficient TIMES the
> weight of the object. So, I believe Don is correct when he refers to weight
> having no effect on friction, but incorrect in implying that the resultant
> force is unchanged.  'Course, it's been 30+ years since that class!
> 
>     Alan