DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL

NADERGUL
CLASS VIII: PHYSICS
Ch-2 FRICTIONAL FORCE (notes)

*The force acting along the two surfaces in contact which always opposes their relative
motion (motion of one surface over another surface) is called frictional force.
* It is a type of contact force.
* It always acts in the direction opposite to that of motion.

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CAUSE OF FRICTION:
*The surfaces of all objects have irregularities (tiny hilts and grooves).
*When one object moves over another, these irregularities get interlocked and produce
friction between them.
*To move one object over another, we need to apply sufficient force to overcome this
interlocking and to make the object move.
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FACTORS AFFECTING MOTION
i) Nature of the two surfaces in contact:
● Rough surface --> more irregularities --> strong interlocking --> more friction.
● Smooth surface --> less irregularities --> weak interlocking --> less friction
Eg: It is more comfortable to walk on a marble floor than on a rough surface like road.

ii). Forces with which the two surfaces are pressed together:
-> Surfaces are pressed harder -> strong interlocking -> more friction
-> Surfaces are pressed lightly -> weak interlocking-> less friction
Eg: More force is required to push a heavy box kept on the floor as the two surfaces are
pressed harder due to the weight of the box.
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TYPES OF FRICTION
i). Static friction: It is the friction that exists between two surfaces in contact when there is
no relative motion in them.
There is strong interlocking of irregularities.

Note: The maximum force of friction when the object is just beginning to move is called
 limiting friction.

ii). Sliding friction: It is the friction between the two surfaces in contact when one object is
sliding over another.
When one object starts sliding, the contact points(irregularities) on its surface do not get
enough time to interlock with the contact points of the other surface. So, sliding friction is
less than static friction.

iii). Rolling friction: It is the friction between the two surfaces in contact when one object is
rolling over another.
● Interlocking is very weak due to fewer contact points.
● It is always easier to roll than to slide an object over another surface. So, rolling
friction is much less than sliding friction.
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*DESCENDING ORDER:
Static friction > Sliding friction > Rolling friction

*ASCENDING ORDER:
Rolling friction > Sliding friction > Static friction

FRICTION IS A NECESSARY
EVIL:
Friction acts all the time around us. Sometimes, it is useful while sometimes it is harmful.
ADVANTAGES OF FRICTION
It helps us
a) to stand, walk, and run
b) to hold things in our hand
c) to write
d) to slow down or stop moving objects
e) to light up the match sticks, and many more in our daily activities.
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DISADVANTAGES OF FRICTION
a). It causes wear and tear of the soles of shoes and the tyres of vehicles.
b). It produces heat and causes energy loss that reduces machines' efficiency.
c). It slows down motion even when it is not desired.
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METHODS TO REDUCE FRICTION
1). Polishing or smoothening the surfaces.
2). Lubricating the surface- Lubricants like oil, grease or powder make the surface smooth
or reduce friction.
3). Using wheels and ball bearings- to convert sliding friction into rolling friction.
4). Adding on air cushion between two rubbing surfaces (ex: hovercraft).
5). Streamlined shape- of an object like ship or aeroplane.
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METHODS TO INCREASE FRICTION
1) By making the surface rough
Eg: Grooves on the sole of shoes,
Treads on the tyres of vehicles give a better grip on the ground.

2) By applying a coarse substance

Eg: Kabaddi players rub their hands with soil to get a better grip.

3) By drying the surface

Eg: Sand and gravel are thrown on wet/ slippery roads.
4) By using brake pads:
In the brake system system of bicycles, rubber pads are used.
*Lubricants like oil, grease graphite powder etc, form a thin layer between the two rubbing
surfaces, making the irregularities smooth and interlocking weak. Thus, lubricants reduce
friction.
* They also reduce wear and tear as less heat is produced between the moving parts of a
machine.

H.O.T.S Questions
Give reasons for the following:-
1). We sprinkle the powder on cardboard before playing.
Ans. Powder acts as a lubricant and reduces friction between the surfaces of carrom board
and coins. So, the coins and the striker can move smoothly.
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2) Gymnasts apply some coarse substance on their hands.
Ans. The coarse substance makes their hand rough and thus increases friction between the
hands and the steel rods. Thus, gymnasts have a better grip and do not slip.
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3) Meteors burn on entering the earth's atmosphere.
Ans. When a meteor enters the earth's atmosphere, a large amount of heat is produced due to
high air friction which causes it to burn.
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4) It is difficult to stand still in ice skating rink
Ans. The surface of ice is very smooth, therefore the friction is very low and is difficult to
stand still.
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5) Football players or athletes wear shoes with spikes.
Ans. To increase friction with the ground and to have a better grip so that they do not slip.
FLUID FRICTION
● The force of friction excreted by fluids (liquids and gases) is called Fluid friction or
drag.
● It opposes the motion of an object moving through them.
● It depends on the shape, size, and speed of the object to as well, as on the density of
the fluid.
● Gases exert the least friction compared to liquids and solids.
● Fluid friction can be minimised by having streamlined-shaped objects (narrow in
front and back, broad in middle).Eg: Fish, birds, cars, boats, aeroplanes etc have
streamlined bodies.
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