Friction

Lesson Objectives
• State that friction is a force which
opposes motion
• Explain how friction causes energy to be
transferred as heat and that it causes
wearing of mechanical parts
• Explain how friction is necessary in the
braking system of cars and between
tyres and road to allow cars to move
 Friction
• Friction is a ______________
• Friction always opposes _________
• Friction makes mechanical parts _______
____
• Friction causes ______ to be produced
• Friction is used in a car’s _______ system
• Friction between the _____ and the _____
allow a car to move
Friction on the Road
Without
friction, this
rally car
would not be
able to round
the bend : it
would carry
on in a
straight line
and skid off
the track!
 Racing Car Tyres
Racing cars have
different tyres for
different surfaces. For
wet weather the tyres
need more tread for
extra friction. In dry
weather they change
to smooth tyres which
Dry Wet
allow the car to move
weather Weather
faster but have less
grip.
 Car Brakes

Brake pads : these have high

friction surfaces. They also
need a high melting point
Brake disc : because they get very hot.
this rotates They must be replaced every
with the car couple of years because they
wheels wear out.
 Running
Running shoes
have high friction
soles. Without
friction, if you
tried to run your
feet would simply
slide backwards
and you would go
Friction
nowhere!
 Extend Yourself !

Trains often use electromagnetic

braking instead of friction
braking. Find out how this works.