FRICTION

By Kaisar Katchi
Definition
Friction:
Definition
Friction:

When a body moves on another, motion is opposed by a resistance along the

common surface of contact. This opposing force is called frictional force or force of
friction.

Types:
Definition
Friction:

When a body moves on another, motion is opposed by a resistance along the

common surface of contact. This opposing force is called frictional force or force of
friction.

Types:

● Static.
● Dynamic.
● Fluid Friction.
Static Friction
1. No Friction.

(No horizontal force.)

W + Py = N (normal reaction).
Static Friction
2. Equilibrium

ΣFx = 0 → f = Px

ΣFy = 0 → N = Py + W

ΣM=0

f < fmax (fmax = limiting force).

f = μN < fmax=μlimN
Static Friction
3. Impending Motion

If horizontal force Px is increased, we reach a

point where f = fmax.

Beyond this point, body starts sliding motion.

When body’s just about to slide (f = fmax),

the motion is called impending sliding motion.
μ is called limiting coefficient of static friction.

fmax = μs*N.

μs = μlimiting = μmax
Dynamic Friction
Here, Px is increased until

Px > fmax.

Friction drops to a smaller value, fk

(kinetic friction).

fk <fmax
Dynamic Friction
Here, Px is increased until

Px > fmax.

Friction drops to a smaller value, fk

(kinetic friction).

fk <fmax
μ, ϕ, ɑ
μ (coefficient of friction)

= Limiting frictional force

Normal reaction.
μ = f/N
μ, ϕ, ɑ
ϕ (angle of friction)

= angle made by the resultant of the

normal reaction and limiting frictional force
with the normal reaction.

tanϕ = f/N = μN/N = μ.

ϕ = tan-1(μ)

R = N x sqrt(1+ μ2)
μ, ϕ, ɑ
ɑ (angle of repose)
μ, ϕ, ɑ
ɑ (angle of repose)

= the maximum angle made by the

inclined plane with the horizontal for
which a body kept on the incline
remains in impending sliding motion
without any external force acting
upon it.
μ, ϕ, ɑ
ɑ (angle of repose)

Fx = μN - Wsinɑ = 0

μN = Wsinɑ ---(1)

Fy = N - Wcosɑ = 0

N = Wcosɑ ---(2)
μ, ϕ, ɑ
ɑ (angle of repose)

μN = Wsinɑ ---(1)

N = Wcosɑ ---(2)

Divide 1 by 2:

μ = tanɑ

But μ = tanϕ

Hence, ɑ = ϕ at impending motion.

μ, ϕ, ɑ
Hence, ɑ = ϕ at impending motion.

If θ < ɑ ---> body is in static eqm.

If θ = ɑ ---> body is in impending

motion down the incline.

If θ > ɑ ---> body is in sliding motion.

Belt Friction
(T1/T2) = eμθ --- tension equation

T1>T2.
Problems
1. Sliding Friction
A 500N block rests on a rough inclined
surface (coefficient of friction = us = 0.25).
Compare horizontal force P necessary to:

1. Just start the block up the incline.

2. Just prevent motion down the incline.

3. If P = ___ N, what is the amount and

direction of frictional force and what is the
coefficient of friction?
1. Sliding Friction
1. Just start the block up in the incline.

(Impending motion is in up direction.

So, friction f=uN acts in downward

direction.)
1. Sliding Friction
1. Just start the block up in the incline.

(Impending motion is in _____ direction.

So, friction f=uN acts in down direction.)

Hence, FBD:
1. Sliding Friction
1. Just start the block up in the incline.

(Impending motion is in _____ direction.

So, friction f=uN acts in _____ direction.)

Hence, FBD:
1. Sliding Friction
1. Just start the block up in the incline.

Fx (along inclined plan) = 0

Fy (along normal) = 0.

M@o = 0.
1. Sliding Friction
1. Just start the block up in the incline.

Fx (along inclined) = 0

Pcos45 - 0.25N1 - 500cos45 = 0. ---(1)

Fy (along normal) = 0
1. Sliding Friction
1. Just start the block up in the incline.

Fx (along inclined) = 0

Pcos45 - 0.25N1 - 500cos45 = 0. ---(1)

Fy (along normal) = 0

-Psin45 + N1 - 500sin45 = 0. ---(2)

1. Sliding Friction
1. Just start the block up in the incline.

Pcos45 - 0.25N1 - 500cos45 = 0. ---(1)

-Psin45 + N1 - 500sin45 = 0. ---(2)

Solving, P = 833.33 N. (-->)

1. Sliding Friction
2. Just prevent motion down the plane.

(Impending motion is downward.

Hence, friction f=uN1 acts upwards.)

1. Sliding Friction
2. Just prevent motion down the plane.

(Impending motion is downward.

Hence, friction f=uN1 acts upwards.)

FBD:
1. Sliding Friction
2. Just prevent motion down the plane.

Fx (along inclined plane) = 0

Fy (along normal) = 0
1. Sliding Friction
2. Just prevent motion down the plane.

Fx (along inclined plane) = 0

Pcos45 + 0.25N1 - 500cos45 = 0. ---(3)

Fy (along normal) = 0
1. Sliding Friction
2. Just prevent motion down the plane.

Fx (along inclined plane) = 0

Pcos45 + 0.25N1 - 500cos45 = 0. ---(3)

Fy (along normal) = 0

-Psin45 + N1 - 500sin45 = 0. ---(4)

1. Sliding Friction
2. Just prevent motion down the plane.

Pcos45 + 0.25N1 - 500cos45 = 0. ---(3)

-Psin45 + N1 - 500sin45 = 0. ---(4)

P = 300 N
1. Sliding Friction
3. To find frictional force and coefficient of
friction when P = 400N.

First we need to find the value of P which

will hold block in such a way that the block
will have a neither a tendency to move up
or down the inclined plane.
1. Sliding Friction
3. To find frictional force and coefficient of
friction when P = 400N.

FBD:
1. Sliding Friction
3. To find frictional force and coefficient of
friction when P = 400N.

Fx (along inclined plane) = 0

Fy (along normal) = 0
1. Sliding Friction
3. To find frictional force and coefficient of
friction when P = 400N.

Fx (along inclined plane) = 0

Pcos45 - 500cos45 = 0

P = 500N --- (5)

1. Sliding Friction
3. To find frictional force and coefficient of
friction when P = 400N.

P = 500N --- (5)

If 300<P<500:

If 500<P<833.33:

Hence, at P = 400N, block has a tendency

to move down the inclined plane.
1. Sliding Friction
3.

FBD (P = 400N):
1. Sliding Friction
3.

Fx (along inclined plane) = 0

Fy (along normal) = 0
1. Sliding Friction
3.

Fx (along inclined plane) = 0

400cos45 - 500cos45 + f = 0. ---(6)

Fy (along normal) = 0
1. Sliding Friction
3.

Fx (along inclined plane) = 0

400cos45 - 500cos45 + f = 0. ---(6)

Fy (along normal) = 0

N1 - 500sin45 - 400sin45 = 0. ---(7)

1. Sliding Friction
3.

400cos45 - 500cos45 + f = 0. ---(6)

N1 - 500cos45 - 400sin45 = 0. ---(7)

f = 70.71 N

N1 = 636.396 N
1. Sliding Friction
3.

f = _____ N

N1 = _____ N

Now, f = uN1

: u = f/N1 = 0.1111

: u < 0.25
1. Sliding Friction
3.

f = _____ N

N1 = _____ N

Now, f = uN1

: u = f/N1 = ____

: u ____ 0.25.
2. Sliding Friction
Determine force P to cause motion to
impend. A = 9kg, B = 4kg. Force P and
rope are parallel to the inclined plane.
Coefficient of friction= 0.25.

Angle of incline = 30 degrees.

2. Ladder
A non-homogenous ladder rests against a
smooth vertical wall at A and a rough
horizontal floor at B. Mass of ladder =
30kg, concentrated at 2m from the bottom
of the ladder. Will the ladder stand at 60o
position if u=0.35?
2. Ladder
FBD:
2. Ladder
First, we’ll find out the friction force
necessary for equilibrium, fa.

Equilibrium conditions:

Fx (-->) = 0.

Fy(^) = 0.

M@o (anticlockwise) = 0.
2. Ladder
First, we’ll find out the friction force
necessary for equilibrium, fa.

Equilibrium conditions:

Fx (-->) = 0.

fa - Nb = 0

fa = Nb ---(1)

Fy(^) = 0.

M@o (anticlockwise) = 0.
2. Ladder
First, we’ll find out the friction force
necessary for equilibrium, fa.

Equilibrium conditions:

fa = Nb ---(1)

Fy(^) = 0.

Na - 30*g = 0

Na = 294.3 N.

M@o (anticlockwise) = 0.
2. Ladder
First, we’ll find out the friction force
necessary for equilibrium, fa.

Equilibrium conditions:

fa = Nb ---(1)

Na = 294.3 N.

M@A (anticlockwise) = 0.

-30g*2cos60 + Nb*4.5sin60 = 0.

Nb = 75.517 N.
2. Ladder
First, we’ll find out the friction force
necessary for equilibrium, fa.

Equilibrium conditions:

fa = Nb ---(1)

Na = 294.3 N. (^)

Nb = 75.517 N. (<---)

fa = 75.517 N. (--->)
2. Ladder
First, we’ll find out the friction force
necessary for equilibrium, fa.

fa = 75.517N = u*Na

Now, fmax = ulim*Na = 103.005 N

Since fa < fmax, ladder is in equilibrium at

60 degrees. So the ladder will stand in the
0o position.
3. Wedges
A block of mass 150kg is raised by a 10o
wedge (which weighs 50kg) under it. If u
(all surfaces) = 0.3, find what minimum
force P should be applied to raise the
block.
3. Wedges
3. Wedges
3. Wedges
Consider FBD of 150kg block in
equilibrium:

Fx (-->) = 0.

Fy (^) = 0.

M@o = 0.
3. Wedges
Consider FBD of 150kg block in
equilibrium:

Fx (-->) = 0.

N1 - N2sin10 - 0.3N2*cos10 = 0

N1 = 0.46909 N2 --(1)

Fy (^) = 0.
3. Wedges
Consider FBD of 150kg block in
equilibrium:

N1 = ____ N2 --(1)

Fy (^) = 0.

-0.3N1 - 150g - 0.3N2*sin10 + N2cos10 =

0.

N2 = 1857.923 N. ( )

N1 = 871.28 N. ( →)
3. Wedges
N2 = 1857.923 N. ( )

Consider FBD of 50kg wedge in

equilibrium:

Fx (-->) = 0.

Fy (^) = 0.
3. Wedges
N2 = ______ N.

Fx (-->) = 0.

0.3N3 + 0.3N2*cos10 + N2sin10 - P = 0.

---(2)

Fy (^) = 0.
3. Wedges
N2 = ______ N.

0.3N3 + 0.3N2*cos10 + N2sin10 - P = 0.

---(2)

Fy (^) = 0.

N3 + 0.3N2*sin10 - N2cos10 - 50g = 0.

---(3)
3. Wedges
N2 = ______ N.

0.3N3 + 0.3N2*cos10 + N2sin10 - P = 0.

---(2)

N3 + 0.3N2*sin10 - N2cos10 - 50g = 0.

---(3)

N3 = 2223.41 N (^)

P = 1538.56 N (<--)