FRICTION
It is the force resisting the relative motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, and material
elements sliding against each other.
Friction and normal force are directly proportional to the contacting surfaces, and it
doesn’t depend on the hardness of the contacting surface. With the increase in relative
speeds, the sliding friction reduces, whereas fluid friction increases with the increase in
the relative speed. Also, fluid friction is dependent on the fluid’s viscosity.
It is a type of contact force. It exists between the surfaces which are in contact.
Causes of friction: Adhesion between body surfaces: Adhesion is the molecular force
that occurs when two materials come into close contact.
There are two main/major types of friction: static and kinetic, according to the journal
The Physics Teacher (opens in new tab). Static friction operates between two surfaces
that aren't moving relative to each other, while kinetic friction acts between objects in
motion.
Using lubricants such as oil or grease can reduce the friction between the surfaces. By
polishing the surface, polishing makes the surface smooth and friction can be reduced.
Friction, in simple terms is a force that opposes motion. It occurs when two surfaces are
in contact with each other. Friction occurs due to the roughness of the surfaces in
contact.
REAL LIFE EXAMPLES OF FRICTION
Walking – When we walk on the ground or the floor, it is the frictional force that is
responsible for holding our feet to the ground. On slippery surfaces or ice, the friction
present is less, which is why we tend to slip on these surfaces.
Writing – While writing, the tip of the pen is in contact with the paper surface which
produces rolling friction in the case of a ballpoint pen or sliding friction in the case of a
pencil.
Skating – During skating, the skate blade rubs against the surface of the ice which
generates heat. This causes the ice to melt which in turn reduces the friction between the
blade and the ice surface, and hence skating is possible.
Lighting a matchstick – A matchstick lightens when its tip is rubbed against a rough
surface that imparts high friction. This generates heat that is responsible for converting
the red phosphorous into white phosphorous and the matchstick lightens up.
Driving of the vehicle on a surface- When a vehicle is being driven, a force is generated
on the wheel by the engine, which makes the vehicle move in the forward direction.
There is a presence of friction between the wheels and the road that opposes the
forward motion of the vehicle. Hence, the vehicle avoids skidding.
Applications of breaks in the vehicle to stop it- When the brakes are applied, a strong
frictional force is applied to the wheels of the vehicle. This results in the generation of a
large amount of heat occur due to the conversion of the kinetic energy of the moving
vehicle into heat. Hence, the vehicle stops moving.
Flight of airplanes- Similar to vehicles moving on the road, any object moving forward in
the air or any fluid experiences a drag force, which opposes the forward motion of the
object in the fluid. This force is caused due to the impact of air on the object and the
displacement of air as the object moves forward.
Drilling a nail into the wall- When a nail is driven into a wall, the materials nearby gets
compressed. This imparts a force on the nail. This normal force that is exerted due to the
compressed layers of the wall is converted into the sheer force that is resistive in nature.
this force is the frictional force acting on the nail.
The dusting of the carpet by beating it with a stick- The carpet exhibits a little static
friction that holds the dust to the carpet. When we beat a carpet with a stick, the external
force exerted by the stick makes the carpet overcome the friction which causes it to
move away from the dust. The dust falls on the floor or carried away by the wind which
makes the carpet dust-free.
Sliding on a garden slide- When we slide, the back of a person rubs against the surface
of the garden which causes friction to be present. If this friction was not there, the person
would slide away with increased acceleration, resulting in an injury or accident.
Credit to: https://byjus.com/question-answer/give-10-examples-of-friction-in-our-daily-life/
TYPES OF FRICTION
Static friction is defined as the frictional force that acts between the surfaces when they
are at rest with respect to each other.
The magnitude of the static force is equal in the opposite direction when a small
amount of force is applied. When the force increases, at some point maximum static
friction is reached.
Examples:
Skiing against the snow
Creating heat by rubbing both the hands together
Table lamp resting on the table
Sliding friction is defined as the resistance that is created between any two objects when
they are sliding against each other.
Examples:
Sliding of the block across the floor
Two cards sliding against each other in a deck
Rolling friction is defined as the force which resists the motion of a ball or wheel and is
the weakest types of friction.
Examples:
Rolling of the log on the ground
Wheels of the moving vehicles
Fluid friction is defined as the friction that exists between the layers of the fluid when they
are moving relative to each other.
Examples:
The flow of ink in pens
Swimming
