Final answer:
To compensate for friction, one must understand its relationship with the coefficient of friction and the normal force, and consider how it opposes motion. Friction's effect on motion can be demonstrated through the work done by friction in stopping a moving object, and it can be reduced by changing the contact surface, as with an air hockey table.
Step-by-step explanation:
To compensate for friction, it is essential to understand its behavior and the factors affecting it. As noted, the force of friction is the product of the coefficient of friction (μ) and the normal force (N). Specifically, the equation f = μN equates the force of friction to the product of the coefficient of static friction (μs) and the normal force, which is equal to the weight (mg) of an object when it is on a horizontal surface.
Friction acts in a direction opposite to the motion or attempted motion between contacting surfaces. For example, when a person stops pushing a package, friction will do negative work, removing its kinetic energy. This can allow us to calculate the distance the package will travel before coming to a stop. Additionally, solutions to friction problems can often be checked by considering whether the result aligns with common experiences, such as the fact that objects will slide down an incline more slowly with friction than without.
On surfaces where friction can be reduced, such as an air hockey table, objects can move with little change in speed once the air cushion lifts the puck, showing that with reduced friction, motion persists longer. Thus, understanding friction and its implications is essential for accurately predicting how objects will behave when in motion.