Outline of the Second Term Paper

I. Introduction 

Once we talk about motion, we will always involve the concept of friction more or less. In a general sense, friction, affected by both the perpendicular force exerted to the surface and the roughness of the surface, is the force that resists the relative motion between the two contacting surfaces. However, the force of friction is always exaggerated in films and games for reasons.  This paper will analyze the intentional wrong use of friction in films and games.

II. Body

A. Journey (game)

The traveller (the player character) can do sand surfing with his feet without the help of a board. In reality, it is actually impossible since firstly the pressure to the sand is too large and secondly the friction won’t result in such smooth motions.

B. Tarzan (animation)

Tarzan slides through the trees in the jungle. This is even more exaggerated. The friction coefficient of the bark is not small enough to support a long-distance slide.

C. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (live-action film)

When Yu Shu Lien chases the thief across the rooftops, she easily walks up walls. However, there is no way that the friction can support her weight in reality.

III. Conclusion

It’s not difficult to find that the motions become way smoother with bending physics of friction. What’s more, purposely changing the force of friction makes it possible to create amazing unreal movements and visual experience that can never happen in reality.