Just because I’m a geek and can’t resist… the coefficient of friction isn’t a “force”, it is the measure of the “stickiness” factor between her bottom and the bench, is actually what little chance she had to resist him:) It would be the force of gravity acting parallel to the inclined bench that she needed to be worried about ;) lol
Actually, it’s the normal component of the gravitational force that she needs to be concerned about. The frictional force scales like the normal force times the coefficient of friction. And it’s the coefficient of static friction times the normal force that resists motion. As the bench is tilted further up, the normal force is decreased (the parallel plane of the bench is closer to the direction of the gravitational force) and she is more likely to slide as there is less of a static frictional force to overcome. Once she *does* start to slide, however, the coefficient of kinetic friction might lead to some unsightly bench burns on the backs of her thighs.
Thanks physics nerds. Jocelyn and I took a few minutes to sort out the proper wording before I put the final dialogue in the comic. I know friction isn’t a force. There are several play on words happening to make the joke work.
Right. What I meant is that the girl isn’t increasing the friction, but increasing other factors that effect friction. The fact that she’s holding on should just mess up this whole thing anyway.
Exac-alactly. Also I got the play on words. Very clever. I just wanted to correct the parallel vs perpendicular issue in case it propagated. Sorry if I turned into a troll.
I thought, “This is silly Joel. Read a book.” Then neighbours put screaming kids out to pasture. Now I just want loud Netflix. Screw good.about 11 minutes ago
If there is anything I’ve learned from anime is that girl better start running NOW!!!
Or, punch him.
Just because I’m a geek and can’t resist… the coefficient of friction isn’t a “force”, it is the measure of the “stickiness” factor between her bottom and the bench, is actually what little chance she had to resist him:) It would be the force of gravity acting parallel to the inclined bench that she needed to be worried about ;) lol
Actually, it’s the normal component of the gravitational force that she needs to be concerned about. The frictional force scales like the normal force times the coefficient of friction. And it’s the coefficient of static friction times the normal force that resists motion. As the bench is tilted further up, the normal force is decreased (the parallel plane of the bench is closer to the direction of the gravitational force) and she is more likely to slide as there is less of a static frictional force to overcome. Once she *does* start to slide, however, the coefficient of kinetic friction might lead to some unsightly bench burns on the backs of her thighs.
Thanks physics nerds. Jocelyn and I took a few minutes to sort out the proper wording before I put the final dialogue in the comic. I know friction isn’t a force. There are several play on words happening to make the joke work.
Actually friction *is* a force. But the coefficient and the nomal force determine its magnitude.
Right. What I meant is that the girl isn’t increasing the friction, but increasing other factors that effect friction. The fact that she’s holding on should just mess up this whole thing anyway.
Nigel isn’t saying it is or isn’t a force anyway.
Exac-alactly. Also I got the play on words. Very clever. I just wanted to correct the parallel vs perpendicular issue in case it propagated. Sorry if I turned into a troll.
That’s a nice move!
Thanks. Nigel can be slick… In a creepy, slimy kind of way…
Like that guy in the bowling alley in from the film, Uncle Buck. http://youtu.be/PaN_23J9wWo
Armed with my physics degree, I have this to say: that’s hilarious!
Thanks so much Julian! Are you new to the strip, or have you been reading Starcrossed for a while?