Friction/ Frictional Force
Force that resist motion whenever two materials or media are in contact
with each other
Three classification of friction
• Static friction. This includes all cases in which frictional force is
enough to prevent relative motion between surfaces in contact
• Sliding/ Kinetic Friction. This occurs when there is relative sliding
motion at the interface of the surfaces in contact.
• Rolling friction. This takes place when one surface rotates as it moves
over another surface but does not slip nor slide at the area of contact.
Principles of Friction
• 1. Friction acts parallel to the surfaces that are in contact and in the
direction opposite to the motion of the object or to the net force
tending to produce such motion.
FN- upward force exerted by the horizontal plane and always
FN perpendicular to the surface where the object is placed
Fa Ff
Fw- weight of the object= mg(mass x acceleration due to
gravity.
Fa- applied force that slides the block along the horizontal
surfaces in contact
Fw
Ff- frictional force that resist the motion and is parallel and
opposite to the direction of Fa
2. Friction depends on the nature of the materials in contact and
the smoothness of their surfaces.
3. Sliding friction is usually less than the starting friction.
4. Sliding friction if practically independent of speed. This is
approximately true for sliding speeds which neither very small
nor very big.
5. Friction is directly proportional to the force pressing the two
surfaces together.
It is easier to slide an empty cabinet across the floor than a
loaded one
• The force that presses the surfaces against each other is called normal
force. FN has been related to the frictional force Ff and the results are
Static Friction
Kinetic Friction
Where (Greek letter mu) is called coefficient of friction and is a
The coefficient of friction is therefore given as
1. A box has mass of 20kg. The coefficient of static friction between
the box and the floor is 0.2. What is the minimum force should be
applied to move the box?
2. The hockey puck in Figure below struck by a hockey stick, is given an
initial speed of 20.0 m/s on a frozen pond. The puck remains on the ice
and slides 120 m, slowing down steadily until it comes to rest.
Determine the coefficient of kinetic friction between the puck and the
ice.
3. A block of mass 2kg is placed on an inclined plane. The coefficient of
static friction between the plane and the block is 0.25. At what angle θ
between the inclined plane and the horizontal will the block begin to
slide down the plane?
4. A block of mass 10kg slides down on an inclined plane. The
coefficient of kinetic friction between the plane and the block is 0.10.
Determine the acceleration of the block if the angle between the
inclined plane and the horizontal is 30o?
