FRICTION

Total number of Questions in Friction are :

In Chapter Examples ............................................................ 03

Solved Examples .................................................................. 10

Total no. of questions ......................................................... 13

1. FRICTION AND FRICTIONAL FORCE
(a) If we slide or try to slide a body over a surface
the motion is resisted by a bonding between
the body and the surface. This resistance is
represented by a single force and is called
friction.
(b) The force of friction is parallel to the surface
and opposite to the direction of intended
motion.
(c) Force of friction is partically independent of
microscopic area of surface in contact and
relative velocity between them.
(if it is not high)
(d) However, it depends on the nature of material
of the surface in contact (force of adhesion)
and their roughness and smoothness.
(e) Normally with increase in smoothness friction
decreases. But if the surface area are made
too smooth by polishing and cleaning the
bonding force of adhesion will increase and
so the friction will increase resulting in 'Cold
welding'
(f) Friction is a non conservative force, i.e. work
done against friction is path dependent.
(g) In its presence mechanical energy is not
conserved. Thus friction reduces efficiency of
a machine.
(h) It is a general misconception that friction
always opposes the motion. No doubt friction
opposes the motion of a moving body but in
many cases it is also the cause of motion.
(i) In moving a person or Vehicle pushes the
ground backwards (action) and the rough
surface of ground reacts and exerts a forward
force due to friction which causes the motion
if there had been no friction there will be
slipping and no motion
(j) There are three types of frictional force
depending upon the nature of relative motion
between the bodies.
2. GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF FRICTION
VARIATION WITH APPLIED FORCE
3. TYPES OF FRICTIONAL FORCE AND THEIR
DEFINITION
There are three types of frictional force
3.1 Static friction
3.2 Dynamic friction & Sliding friction
3.3 Rolling friction
3.1 Static friction :
(a) The frictional force which is effective before
motion starts between two planes in contact
with each other, is known as static friction.
(b) If a body is at rest and no pulling force is
acting on it, force of friction on it is zero (and
not R)
(c) Now if a force is applied to pull the body and
it does not move, the friction acts which is
equal in magnitude and opposite in direction
to the applied force [again not R], i.e. friction
is self acting force.
(d) If the applied force is increased the force of
static friction also increases.
(e) If the applied force exceeds a certain
(Minimum) value, the body starts moving.
(f) The maximum force of static friction upto
which body does not move is called limiting
friction (f L)
(g) Static friction is a self adjusting force with an
upper limit, called limiting friction.
(h) f L  R  f L = sR
where f L = limiting friction
R = normal reaction
s = coefficient of static friction
(i) s depends on the nature of surface in
contact and force of adhesion between them.
3.2 Dynamic friction (K)
(a) If the applied force is increased further and
sets the body in motion, the friction opposing
the motion is called dynamic or kinetic
friction.
(b) Kinetic friction is lesser than limiting friction.
(c) f K =K R, where K is called coefficient of
kinetic friction.
(d) f L > f K  S > K
i.e. we require more force to start a motion
than to maintain it against friction.
(e) The frictional force, which is effective on
sliding of two surfaces in contact with each
other is known as the sliding friction.
3.3 Rolling friction (R) :
(a) When a body (say wheel) rolls on a surface
the resistance offered by the surface is called
rolling friction.
(b) In rolling the surfaces at contact do not rub
each other.
(c) The velocity of point of contact with respect
to the surface remains zero all the time
although the centre of the wheel moves
forward
(d) R < K < S
(e) Coefficient of friction has no unit and is
dimensionless.
4. ANGLE OF FRICTION ()
4.1 Mathematical significance : The angle of friction
() may be defined as the angle between the
normal reaction N and the resultant of friction
force f and the normal reaction.
f attains a value equal to
Thus tan  =
N
since f = N . therefore
tan  = 
4.2 Physical Significance : The angle of repose ()
is that minimum angle of inclination of the inclined
plane at which a body placed at rest on the
inclined plane is about to slide down in
equillibrium condition.
N f
(a) Force parallel to the incline
(i) When  >  the friction force acting at its
maximum value
(f max = N) is incapable of keeping the block
stationary.
Therefore, parallel force is required to keep
the block in equillibrium
(ii) The minimum value of this force is
(Fp)min = mg sin  – f max
(Fp)min = mg (sin  –  cos )
(iii) If a force slightly greater than (F p)min is
applied, then the block does not start moving
up, but the force of friction force gets reduced.
(iv) It becomes to zero when the external force
Fp = mg sin .
W hen the f orce is f urther increased
(Fp > mg sin ). The block has a tendency
to move upward and direction of friction force
gets reversed
(v) The block does not start moving up unless
the external force attains the maximum value.
The maximum value of Fp is given by

mg cos
mg sin
N = mg cos  =
(Fp)max = mg sin  + fmax = mg(sin  + cos )
and mg sin  = f  f max
if  =  then f = f max. Conclusion :
 mg sin  = f max = N The block remains stationary if
 mg sin  =  mg cos  (Fp)min  F p  (Fp)max
 tan  =  mg (sin  – cos )  Fp  mg (sin  +  cos )
(a) When    (or tan–1 ) the body is in
equilibrium (b) Force Normal to the incline (FN)
(b) When the angle of inclination is more than
the angle of friction ( > ) the block starts
sliding down.
4.3 Conditions for equilibrium of block
(Depending upon the direction of applied force)
(a) Force parallel to the incline (i) Force FN applied normal to the inclined plane
(b) Force normal to the incline increases the magnitude of the frictional force
(c) External Horizontal force by increasing the normal reaction.
(ii) Therefore N = mg cos  + F N
when FN has its minimum value (FN)min the
friction force acting at its maximum value is
just capable of preventing the block from
sliding down.
(iii) That is mg sin  = f max = N
=  [mg cos  + (FN)min]
m (v) If F H is further increased, the block has
or (FN)min = g (sin  –  cos )

(iv) It is important to note that whatever may be
the magnitude of FN, the block never attains
a tendency to slide upward.
(v) When the magnitude of FN is more than its
minimum v alue (F N ) min then only the
magnitude of friction forces decreases.
Conclusion :
The block remains stationary if
mg
FN  (FN)min  FN  (sin  – cos )

(c) External Horizontal Force
It serves two purposes :
(i) It supports the frictional force
(ii) It increases the normal reaction and thus
increases the magnitude of the limiting force
of friction
Minimum Horizontal force (FH)min :-
(i) W hen the horizontal force acts as its
minimum value, the friction force acts at its
maximum value.
(ii) Applying the conditions of equation parallel
and normal to the plane we get.
(FH)min cos  = mg sin  – f max
and (FH)min sin  + mg cos  = N
and Fmax = N
Solving these
Lsin    cos  O
(FH)min = mg M
Ncos    sin  P
Q and putting
Maximum Horizontal Force : (FH)max
(iii) As the magnitude of FH is slightly increased
from its minimum value, the block does not
start moving up, it remains stationary
(iv) But the magnitude of the friction force starts
decreasing and it becomes equal to zero
when FH = mg tan .
tendency to move upward and it just starts
moving up when FH attains its maximum value.
(vi) From the free body diagram of the block
(FH)max cos  = mg sin  + f max
and (FH)max sin  + mg cos  = N
since f max = N therefore
(FH)max = mg
L
sin    cos 
M O
P
N
cos    sin  Q
Conclusion
The box remains stationary if
(FH)min  FH (FH)max
L
Msin    cos  O
P Lsin    cos  O
 FH  mg M
mg
Ncos    sin  Q Ncos    sin  P
Q
5. MINIMUM FORCE REQUIRED TO MOVE A
BLOCK
(a) Applied force serves two purposes :
(i) it reduces the normal reaction, thus
reduces the frictional force.
(ii) It tends to move the block along the
surface
(b) Minimum value of F occurs at an angle  at
which the normal reaction is reduced so
much that the limiting friction becomes just
equal to the horizontal component of the
applied force.
(c) It happens when the block is pulled at an
angle equal to the angle of friction  = 
(d) Mathematically
F cos  = N =  (mg – F sin )
 F (cos  +  sin ) =  mg
F

m
Differentiating the equation with respect to 
dF
–1
 = tan 
d
= 0 for minimum value of F,,
Examples
Friction Sol.(A)
based on
Let R be the normal reaction on the block
Ex.1 A body of mass m is released from the top exerted by the floor. The limiting (maximum)
of a rough inclined plane as shown in figure. force of static friction is
If the frictional force be F, then body will fs = sR = smg
reach the bottom with a velocity
= 0.4 x 2kg x 9.8 ms–2
2 1 = 7.84 N
(A) (mgh  FL) (B) (mgh  FL)
m m The applied force F is 2.5 N, that is less
than the limiting frictional force. Hence under
2 the force F, the block does not move. So
(C) (mgh  FL ) (D) None
m long the block does not move, the (adjustable)
frictional force is always equal to the applied
Sol.(A)
m force. Thus the frictional force is 2.5 N.

Ex.3 A block is kept on a horizontal table. The

table is undergoing simple harmonic motion
of frequency 3 Hz in a horizontal plane. The
coefficient of static friction between the block
and the table surface is 0.72. Find the
Loss in P.E. in reaching the bottom = mgh maximum amplitude of the table at which the
1 block does not slip on the surface (g = 10ms–2)
and gain in K.E. reaching the bottom =mv 2
2 (A) 0.01 m (B) 0.02 m
where v is velocity gained by the body in (C) 0.03 m (D) 0.04 m
reaching the bottom Sol.(B) When the block does not slip on the table
surface, it performs simple harmonic motion
1
 Net loss in energy = mgh – mv 2 along with the table.
2
x = a sin t
work done against friction = FL
The instantaneous acceleration of the block
1
 mgh – mv 2 = FL d2 x
2 is = –2a sin t
dt 2
2
v = (mgh  FL) d2 x
m The maximum acceleration is = 2a
dt 2 max
Ex.2 A block of mass 2 kg is placed on the floor.
The maximum f orce on the block is
The coefficient of static friction is 0.4.
f max = m2a
A force F of 2.5 N is applied on the block, as
shown. Calculate the force of friction between where m is its mass. The frictional force on
the block and the floor. (g = 9.8 ms–2) the block is mg. since the block is at rest
with respect to the table, we have
(A) 2.5 N
m2a = mg
(B) 25 N
(C) 7.84 N g 0.72 x 10
(2f)2a = g  a = =
(D) zero 2 2
4 f 4 x (3.14) 2 x 3 2
= 0.02 m
 SOLVED EXAMPLE
Ex.1 A body of mass 400 g slides on a rough
horizontal surface if the frictional force is
3.0 N. Find
(a) the angle made by the contact force on
the body with the vertical.
(b) the magnitude of the contact force .
(g = 10 m/s2 )
Sol. Let the contact force on the block by the
surface be F which makes an angle  with
the v ertical. The component of F
perpendicular to the contact surface is the
normal force N and the component F parallel
to the surface is the friction f. As the surface
is horizontal, N is vertically upward. For
vertical equilibrium
N F can be applied to the block of mass M so
F

(
f M
N = Mg = (0.400) (10) = 4.0 N
The frictional force is f = 3.0 N
3
f 3  mass m is that due to the friction by the
(a) tan  = =   = tan 4 = 37º
N 4
(b) The magnitude of the contact force is
F = N2  f 2 = (4) 2  (3) 2 = 5.0 N
Ex.2 The coefficient of static friction between a
block of mass m and an incline is s = 0.3
What can be the maximum angle  of the
incline with the horizontal so that the block
does not slip on the plane?
Sol. The forces on the block are
N f
mg
 mg
(i) the weight mg downward by the earth
(ii) the normal contact force N by the incline,
and
(iii) the friction f parallel to the incline up the
plane, by the incline.
As the block is at rest, these forces should
add up to zero. Also since  is the maximum
angle to prevent slipping, this is a case of
limiting equilibrium and so
f = S N
Taking component perpendicular to the
lncline,
N – mg cos  = 0  N = mg cos  ....... (1)
Taking component parallel to the incline
f – mg sin  = 0  f = mg sin  ........ (2)
 SN = mg sin 
Dividing (2) by (1) s = tan
 = tan–1S = tan–1 (0.3)
Ex.3 The coefficient of static friction between the
two blocks shown in figure is  and the table
is smooth. What maximum horizontal force
that the blocks move together?
F
Sol. When the maximum force F is applied, both
the blocks move together towards right. The
only horizontal force on the upper block of
lower block of mass M. Hence this force on
m should be towards right. The force of
friction on M by m should be towards left by
Newton's third law. As we are talking of the
minimum possible force F that can be applied,
the friction is limiting and hence
f = N, where N is normal force.
in the v ertical direction, there is no
acceleration  N = mg
in the horizontal direction, let the acceleration
be a, then N
N = ma
mg = ma
a = g f = N
Next consider the motion of M
The equation of motion is N N
1
F = N = Ma
F – mg = Mg
f = N F
F = g (M + m)
Mg
Ex.4 Block A weights 4 N and block B weight 8 N.
The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.25 for all m
surfaces. Find the force F to slide B at a
constant speed when A rests on B and moves M
with it.

Sol. When A moves with B the force opposing the
motion is the only force of friction between B Sol. Figure shows the forces acting on the two
and S the horizontal and velocity of the blocks. As we are looking for the maximum
system is constant value of M/m, the equilibrium is limiting.
R2 Hence the frictional forces are equal to 
times corresponding normal force.
A
Equilibrium of the block m gives
R1
F N1
B

S f1
N1 m N
2
F = f 1 = R1 = 0.25 (4 + 8) = 3N
mg M

Ex.5 In the above example find the force F to slide
B at a constant speed when A is held at mg 
rest. T = N1 and N1 = mg  T = mg .... (1)
Sol. When A is held stationary the friction opposing Next consider the equilibrium of the block M.
the motion is between A and B and B and S. Taking components parallel to the incline
So R A 2 T + N2 = Mg sin 
Taking components normal to the Incline
f2
R1
F B
N2 = Mg cos 
These give T = Mg (sin  – cos ) ...... (2)
S f1
From (1) and (2) mg = Mg (sin  – cos )
F = R1 + R2 = 3 + 0.25 (4)
F = 3 + 1 = 4 N M 
=
m sin    cos 
Ex.6 In the example 4 find the force F to slide B
at constant speed when A and B are if tan  < , then sin  – cos  < 0 and the
connected by a light cord passing over a system will not slide from any value of M/m.
smooth fully.
Ex.8 A block placed on a horizontal surface is
Sol. In this situation for dynamic equilibrium of B being pushed by a force F making an angle
R2 A  with the vertical if the friction coefficient is
f2 , how much force is needed to get the block
f2 just started. Discuss the situation when
R1
F tan  < .
f1
Sol. The situation is shown in figure in the limiting
equilibriums the frictional force f will be equal
F = R1 + R2 + T ..... (1) to N.
While for the uniform motion of A
T = R2 ............ (2)
Substituting T from Equation (2) in (1) we get F N

F = R1 + 2R2 = 3 + 2 x 1 = 5N
Ex.7 Find the maximum value of M/m in the
situation shown in figure so that the system fS=N
remains at rest. Friction coefficient at both
the contacts is . Discuss the situation when
tan  <  mg
 For horizontal equilibrium Ex.10 If the coefficient of friction between an insect
F sin  = N and bowl is  and the radius of the bowl is
For vertical equilibrium r, find the maximum height to which the insect
can crawl in the bowl.
F cos  + mg = N
Sol. The insect will crawl up the bowl till the
Eliminating N from these equations
component of its weight along the bowl is
F sin  = F cos  + mg balanced by limiting friction so, resolving
 weight perpendicular to the bowl and along
F = the bowl we get
(sin    cos )
if tan  <  we have (sin  – cos ) < 0 and R
then F is negative. So for angles less than
tan–1, one can not push the block ahead,
however large the force may be. fL R y
)
Ex.9 Assuming the length of a chain to be L and
mgsin
coefficient of static friction . Compute the mgcos
maximum length of the chain which can be
held outside a table without sliding.
Sol. If y is the maximum length of chain which R = mg sin 
can be hang out side the table without sliding, f L = mg cos 
then for equilibrium of the chain, the weight
R R 1
of hanging part must be balanced by force of tan =  1 
friction from the portion on the table f L R1 
L– y
R y 1

R y 2 2 
fL
2y2 = R2 – y2
W' y
R1
y =
2  1

R
W So, h = R-y = R –
2  1
W = fL ....... (1)
M  
But from figure W = y g and 1
L = R 1  
 ( 2
 1) 
 
M
R = W' = (L – y)g
L
M
So that f L = R = (L – y) g
L
Substituting these values of W and f L in
equation (1) we get
M M
yg =  (L – y) g
L L