Explain why, it is easier to drag a mat on floor when nobody is sitting on it but much more difficult to drag the same mat when a person is sitting on it.

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

When no person is sitting on the mat, then the mat and floor are not pressed together.

Thus, there is no friction.

But, when a person is sitting on the mat.

Then due to the weight of the person, the mat and floor are pressed together harder, increasing the friction too much. Thus, then it is very difficult to drag the person.