What type of force resists or prevents motion?

Frictional force is the type of force that resists or prevents motion between two surfaces in contact. It acts in the opposite direction to the applied force and is crucial for enabling objects to stay still or move at a controlled speed. For instance, when pushing a heavy box across the floor, the frictional force between the box and the floor opposes the motion, requiring a greater effort to move the box.

This resistance is vital in various applications, such as ensuring vehicles can stop when brakes are applied or allowing a person to walk without slipping. When considering the other forces mentioned, gravitational force influences the weight and the interaction of objects with the ground but does not specifically counteract motion. Inertial force, on the other hand, is a concept that describes an object's resistance to changes in its state of motion but does not act to prevent motion like friction does. Centrifugal force is an apparent force experienced in a rotating frame and is not a direct force resisting linear motion, making it less applicable in this context.