Why Is Static Friction Greater Than Kinetic Friction?

Friction is the resistance that one object or surface experiences when moving over another object or surface. The two types of friction that come into play when moving two objects against one another are static and kinetic.

Static friction is the force that keeps a stationary object in place. This static friction will remain in place until the applied force on the object overcomes the static frictional force. The force of gravity is acting on the object at all times, whether stationary or in motion, so it can be eliminated from this discussion, for simplicitys sake. Kinetic friction, on the other hand, appears at the moment the static friction threshold is overcome, namely, the moment an object begins to move against another surface.