FRICTION

As we all are familiar with cycling, we need to continuously pedal bicycle otherwise it
will stop. So the question is why bicycle (or any other thing) eventually stops. We say it
is the friction which brings it to a halt. A general convention is that friction opposes
motion. It slows down the bicycle in this case, but can we conclude that friction always
opposes motion!

Friction as a force

If something in motion comes to rest after some time, it means its velocity has changed
and we know ‘force’ is what changes the velocity, so now we can conclude friction is a
type of force.

Is friction an opposing force

To answer this question let us consider an example. You must have noticed that it is
difficult to walk on a slippery(less friction) surface. For example when water is spilled on
a marble surface, it becomes difficult to walk and we tend to slip. Here, we are finding it
difficult to walk because the friction has reduced. It is quite surprising to observe that
friction helps us in walking and we can conclude that friction does not always opposes
motion but it can also support the motion.

Definition of friction

What is the exact definition of friction? Friction is a force that always opposes relative
motion. Notice carefully the word ‘relative motion’. Friction always opposes relative
motion but it always does not oppose motion.This definition of friction itself indicates
about the direction of friction. Direction of friction is such that it opposes relative
motion(opposite to the direction of relative velocity). So, let’s understand the meaning of
relative motion in this context.

Consider a block ‘A’ moving on ground as shown in fig below. When you are on the
ground and observing the block, it seems that ‘A’ is moving with a velocity of 5m/s in
rightward direction.
So friction tries to oppose this relative motion and it will act in leftward direction on block
A as shown. Now consider you are sitting on the block and observing the ground. You
see that ground is moving In leftward direction. So friction will act in rightward direction
on the ground.Here friction is opposing motion of A.

Consider another example as shown below. Block B is moving with 5 m/s and block A is
moving with 10m/s .

when you sit on A and observe the motion of B it seem to you that object B is moving
leftward with speed 5m/s. So friction will act on B due to A in rightward direction(Block B
is moving in rightward direction and friction is also acting in rightward direction. So it is a
classic example where the friction is supporting the motion but opposing the relative
motion.)

Now let us talk about friction acting on A. it has two contact surfaces one with ground
and other with B.

First consider friction on A due to B. Sit on B and observe the motion of A, it seems
moving rightward with velocity 5m/s. As we know friction always opposes relative
motion, s

o friction on A due to B is leftward as shown in fig below, labelled as friction.

Now friction on A due to ground. To calculate this, sit on the ground and observe the
motion of A. Block A is moving with 10m/s relative to the ground in rightward direction,
so friction acting will be opposite to relative velocity i.e. in leftward direction as shown in
above figure labelled as friction 1.

You may have noticed that to know direction of friction on surface 1 due to surface 2
(both are in contact) you need to find relative velocity of surface 1 with respect to
surface 2. Direction of friction will be opposite to this relative velocity. So we can say
direction of friction force does not depend upon frame of reference​. It depends
upon relative velocity of surfaces under consideration.