11.5: Rolling With Slipping
Rolling with slipping is a physical phenomenon that occurs when a rolling object experiences both rotational and linear motion but also experiences frictional forces that cause slipping. This phenomenon can occur in various situations, such as when a tire rolls on a wet road or a ball rolls on a rough surface.
An object's rolling motion is characterized by its rotation around its axis, while linear motion refers to the object's translational motion along a surface. Frictional forces can affect an object's rolling and linear motion, depending on the coefficient of friction between the object and the surface it is rolling on. A higher coefficient of friction implies higher frictional force.
When an object rolls without slipping, the point of contact between the object and the surface is stationary, and there is no relative motion between the two. However, when slipping, the point of contact between the object and the surface moves relative to each other, resulting in a loss of energy and a decrease in the object's speed due to losing traction with the surface.
To understand the mechanics of rolling with slipping, consider the example of a car tire rolling on a wet road. The tire's treads provide traction by increasing the surface area of contact between the tire and the road. However, when the road is wet, the water creates a thin film between the tire and the road, reducing the frictional force and causing slipping. This results in the tire losing its grip on the road, reducing its ability to accelerate or stop.
Rolling with slipping can also be observed in the motion of a ball rolling on a rough surface. As the ball moves, the rough surface can cause the ball to bounce, creating a temporary loss of contact with the surface and reducing the object's speed.
In conclusion, the rolling with slipping phenomenon can lead to a loss of energy and a decrease in speed, and is commonly observed when frictional forces are affected by surface conditions.
