Static Frictional Force : Static friction is the friction that exists between a stationary object and the surface on which it resting. Static friction keeps an object at rest. It must is overcome to start moving the object.

Imagine trying to push an object across the floor. You push on it with a small force, but it does not move, this is because it is not accelerating. However, according to Newton’s second law, the object must move with an acceleration.
a = \(\frac{F}{m}\)

Now, as the body remains at rest, it implies that an opposing force equal to the applied force must have come into play resulting in zero net force on the object. This force is called static friction. It is denoted by F_s.

Thus, static friction is the opposing force that comes into play when one body tends to move over the surface of another, but the actual motion has not started.

• The static friction depends upon the nature of surfaces of the two bodies in contact.
• The static friction does not exist by itself. When there is no applied force, there is no static friction. It comes into play only when the applied force tends to move the body.
• The static friction is a self-adjusting force.

Limiting Friction : If the applied force is increased, the force of static friction also increases. If the applied force exceeds a certain (maximum) value, the body starts moving. This maximum value of static friction up to which the body does not move, is called limiting friction.

1. The magnitude of limiting: friction between any two bodies in contact is directly proportional to the normal reaction between them.
(f_s)_max ∝ N
(f_s) _max ∝ μ_s N ………….. (1)

Where the constant of proportionality p s is called the coefficient of static friction. Its value depends upon the nature of surfaces of the two bodies in contact that means whether dry or wet; rough or smooth; polished or non polished. For example, when two polished metal surfaces are in contact, ps = 0.2, when these surface are lubricated, μ_s = 0.1
The value of μ_s lies between 0 and 1 or 0 < μ_s < 1
∵ N = Mg
(F_s)_max = μ_s m_g ……………… (2)

2. Direction of the force of limiting friction is always opposite to the direction in which one body is at the verge of moving over the other.

3. Coefficient of Static Friction :
μ_s is called coefficient of static friction and is defined as the ratio of force of limiting friction and normal reaction
From(1), μ_s = \(\frac{\left(f_{s}\right)_{\max }}{N}\)
Dimension: [M⁰L⁰T⁰]
Unit: It has no unit.
Value of μ_s does not depend upon apparent area of contact.