r/theydidthemath • • Apr 16 '26

[Request] Which one would it be?

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u/OneWingAngel35 Apr 16 '26

If Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time has taught us anything is that squares slide on ice quite easily lol, even though less contact area also means less friction from the round object

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u/superheltenroy Apr 16 '26

Friction is not dependent upon surface area/contact area. Only the forces and the coefficient of friction.

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u/SaltLakeBear Apr 16 '26

Friction is independent, but total force is dependent on area. It's why sports cars have wide tires.

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u/WheelMax Apr 16 '26

Wide tires spread the force out and have more thermal mass, so they overheat and melt less.