FRICTION

 force between two surfaces

 proportional to the weight of the objects
 opposite to the direction in which the object is moving, or trying to move
 slows a moving object down
 depends on the materials from which the two surfaces are made
(The rougher the surface, the more friction is produced.)
 also produces heat
 can be a useful force

TWO KINDS OF FRICTION

1. Static Friction – exists between two surfaces that are not moving relative to each other.

2. Kinetic Friction (also referred to as dynamic friction) – is the force that resists the relative movement of the surfaces
once they are in motion.

 The static friction between two surfaces is always higher than the kinetic friction. Static friction is greater than
kinetic friction because there are more forces at work keeping an object stationary than there are forces
working to resist an object once it is in motion.

WAYS TO INCREASE FRICTION

 by making surfaces rough

– Rough surfaces have more friction than smooth surfaces. Tires and soles of rubber shoes and slippers are
etched with designs to increase friction.
 adding weight to the object
– The more the gravity that presses the two surfaces together, the more the friction that exists and the harder
for them to move.
 removing lubrication

WAYS TO REDUCE FRICTION

 by using ball bearings (small wheels), and lubricants like oil

– Heavy furniture is provided with wheels to ease the transfer of movement.
– The oil holds the surfaces apart and can flow between them.

Additional Information:

 You cannot hold things between your fingers without friction.

 Teflon on most things has a very low friction.
 Scientists have discovered that there is even less friction in your joints than in Teflon.
 Ice causes very little friction, which is why it is easy to slip over an icy day.
 Friction is also responsible for the wear and tear on bike gears and other mechanical parts. That’s why
lubricants, or liquids, are often used to reduce the friction – and wear and tear – between moving parts.
Reduced friction means less wear on the car’s moving parts and less heat produced.
 In nature, there are no completely frictionless environments: even in deep space, tiny particles of matter may
interact, causing friction