Originally Posted by carleton
Regarding skidding/skipping versus slowing down:
According to the laws of physics, one actually decelerates faster if one does not break the force of static friction. If you do that one is now has kenetic friction.
"The coefficient of kinetic friction is typically denoted as μk, and is usually less than the coefficient of static friction."
Basically, the force required to continue start skidding is MORE than the force required to continue skidding. This also means that the force that is being exerted by the friction, that is being used to halt your motion, is LESS if you are stopping by sliding than if you are stopping by not sliding.
To put it in layman's terms, slowing down stops you faster than sliding.
Ref:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frictio...nt_of_friction
Don't believe me? This is the whole idea behind anti-lock brakes on cars.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-lock_brakes
...and Traction Control
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traction_control
nice, i'm always glad to see some other nerds on here. i think you might be oversimplifying a bit. the MAXIMUM force due to static friction is the coffecient mu_s times the normal force (the force with which your tire is pressing on the pavement, or as defined, the force with which the pavement is pushing back up on the tire). the actual force is just the equal and opposite of the force being applied (that's why we don't go flying backwards every time we get on our bikes) i'd venture a guess that none of us here applies that maximum amount of force *uniformly* through two or more revolutions of the pedals. doing so would require some serious strength and pedaling technique.
also the force due to kinetic friction is the coefficient mu_k times the NORMAL force. when you skip it's like doing a very little bunny hop, your center of gravity goes up (here's where you begin the skid, while the normal force is low) and then goes down (the normal force is much higher than it was when we were just sitting on the bike). higher normal force means higher friction means stopping sooner. come on out to a pirate ride for a demo! (seriously, come on out)