SRI SANKARA SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

CLASS: VIII SUBJECT:PHYSICS

TOPIC: Ch 12 FRICTION

Q1) What is friction?

Ans: Friction is an opposing force. It opposes the relative
motion between two surfaces in contact. It acts on both
the surfaces.
Q2)What are factors on which friction depends?
Ans: (i) Nature of the surfaces in con tact
(ii) mass of the moving object
Q3) Name and draw the device used for measuring
friction.
Ans: Spring balance

Q4) How is friction caused?

Friction is caused by the irregularities on the two surfaces
in contact. Even those surfaces which appear very smooth
have a large number of minute irregularities on them.
Irregularities on the two surfaces lock into one another.
When we attempt to move any surface, we have to apply a
force to overcome interlocking.
Q5) What is static friction?
Ans: The force required to overcome friction at the instant
an object starts moving from rest is a measure of static
friction.
Q6) What is sliding friction?
The force required to keep the object moving with the
same speed is a measure of sliding friction.
Q7) What is rolling friction?
Ans: When one body rolls over the surface of another
body, the resistance to its motion is called the rolling
friction.
Q8)Why do we need friction?
Ans: If an object started moving, it would never stop if
there were no friction. Had there been no friction between
the tyres of the automobiles and the road, they could not
be started or stopped or turned to change the direction of
motion.
Q9) Mention 5 advantages of friction.
 Holding objects with our hands
 Write with pen or pencil
 Write with chalk on the blackboard (its rough surface
rubs off some chalk particles which stick to the black
board)
 You could not fix a nail in the wall or tie a knot.
 Without friction no building could be constructed.
Q10) Mention 3 disadvantages of friction.
 It wears out the materials whether they are screws, ball
bearings or soles of shoes
 It wears out steps of foot over-bridges at railway
stations
 Friction can also produce heat. In fact, when a machine
is operated, heat generated causes much wastage of
energy
Q11) Mention few methods to increase friction.
 Bottom of the shoes are grooved to provide better grip
on the floor, so that you can move safely.
 The treaded tyres of cars,trucks and bulldozers provide
better grip with the ground
 Kabaddi players rub their hands with soil for a better
grip of their opponents.
 Gymnasts apply some coarse substance on their hands
to increase friction for better grip.
Q12) Mention few methods to decrease friction.
 When a few drops of oil are poured on the hinges of a
door, the door moves smoothly
 A bicycle and a motor mechanic uses grease between
the moving parts of these machines.
 Powder is sprinkled on the carrom board to reduce
friction
 An air cushion between the moving parts is used to
reduce friction.
Q13) What are lubricants? How do they work?
Ans: When oil, grease or graphite is applied between the
moving parts of a machine, a thin layer is formed there
and moving surfaces do not directly rub against each
other. Interlocking of irregularities is avoided to a great
extent. Movement becomes smooth. The substances
which reduce friction are called “lubricants”. In some
machines, it may not be advisable to use oil as lubricant.
An air cushion between the moving parts is used to reduce
friction.
Q14) What are fluids?
Ans: Fluid is a substance that does not have any fixed
shape. Fluids include liquids and gases. They can flow
easily.
Q15) What is drag?
Ans: The frictional force exerted by fluids on the objects
that are moving in it is called drag or fluid drag.
Q16) What are the factors on which fluid friction
depends?
Ans: The frictional force on an object in a fluid depends
on (i) its speed with respect to the fluid (ii) shape of the
object (iii) nature of the fluid

GIVE REASONS:
1. It is easier to move a box which is already in motion
than to move it from rest.
Ans: When a body is at rest, the interlocking between
the irregularities is more. So, friction is more. Thus,
you need more force to move the object. Thus moving
a box which is in motion is easier than moving a box
which is at rest.
2. Soles of shoes wear off due to usage.
Ans: Frictional force helps us to move (or walk).
When we walk due to contact with the ground, the
soles of the shoes wear and tear.
3. Striking a match box produces fire.
Ans: When we strike the match box, frictional force
comes into play. When we strike the match box, due
to friction, fire is produced.
4. Soles of shoes and tyres of the vehicles are treaded.
Ans: Soles of shoes and tyres are treaded because
spikes increase the irregularities and friction
increases. When friction increases, the shoes and
tyres have a better grip.
5. We sprinkle powder on the carrom board.
Ans: When we sprinkle powder on the carrom board,
it fills in the irregularities(microwelds) and makes the
surface smooth. So, friction is reduced and it is easy
for the coin to move freely on the board.
6. Applying grease or oil on moving parts reduces
friction.
Ans: When we apply grease or oil on moving parts, it
acts as a lubricant by forming a thin layer on the
surface with microscopic irregularities and makes it
smooth. When friction is less, the moving parts move
smoothly.
7. We use ball bearings between hubs and axles of
ceiling fans and bicycles, or moving parts of
machines.
Ans: The rolling friction is smaller than sliding
friction. Sliding is replaced in most machines by
rolling friction by use of ball bearings.