Recall the laws of friction

For dry friction between two surfaces:

• Limiting static friction is $f_{s,\max} = \mu_s N$
• Kinetic friction is $f_k = \mu_k N$

where:

• $\mu_s, \mu_k$ are coefficients of friction,
• $N$ is the normal reaction.

Check Statement (I)

Statement (I): The limiting force of static friction depends on the area of contact and independent of materials.

From $f_{s,\max} = \mu_s N$ we see that limiting static friction:

• is independent of area of contact (for ideal dry surfaces),
• depends on the nature of materials through $\mu_s$.

Hence Statement (I) is incorrect.

Check Statement (II)

Statement (II): The limiting force of kinetic friction is independent of the area of contact and depends on materials.

Using $f_k = \mu_k N$ kinetic friction:

• is independent of area of contact,
• depends on materials through $\mu_k$.

Hence Statement (II) is correct.

Choose the correct option

Therefore:

• Statement I is incorrect
• Statement II is correct

So the correct option is: $\boxed{\text{A}}$

Comparison with stored answer

Stored correct answer: A

My derived answer: A

They match.