Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The kinetic friction force is the force that opposes the motion of an object when it is sliding or moving across a surface.
Related terms
Static Friction Force: The static friction force is the force that prevents an object from moving when a force is applied to it, but there is no relative motion between the object and the surface.
Coefficient of Friction: The coefficient of friction is a value that represents how rough or smooth two surfaces are in contact with each other. It determines the strength of both static and kinetic friction forces.
Normal Force: The normal force is the perpendicular force exerted by a surface on an object in contact with it. It counteracts the weight of an object and determines its apparent weight on different surfaces.