FRICTION

WHAT IS
FRICTION?
When a body slide or tends to slide on a surface on which it is resisting, a
resisting force opposing the motion is produced at the contact surface. This
resisting force is called the friction or frictional force.
Friction always works in the direction opposite from the direction the object is
moving, or trying to move. It always slows a moving object down. It is also
a non-conservative force - work done against friction is path dependent.
 CAUSE OF
FRICTION
 Friction is caused due to the interlocking of irregularities between the two
surfaces in contact.
• Smooth surfaces have minute irregularities between the two surfaces
• Rough surfaces have larger irregularities between the two surfaces.
 So force of friction is more if the surfaces are rough.
 TYPES OF FRICTION
STATIC FRICTION KINETIC FRICTION

ROLLING FRICTION FLUID FRICTION

 STATIC FRICTION

Static friction is a friction that occurs when the

surfaces in contact are at rest (not in motion).
Examples
• A book resting on a table.
• A potted plant sitting on a sidewalk.
•  

The force of static friction keeps a stationary object at

rest despite applying force to it.
x
= coefficient of static friction
Static friction is always equal to the applied force. It will be observe
that value of static friction increases to certain maximum value,
beyond which if the applied force is increased body starts moving.
This maximum value of force of friction is called limiting friction.
Limiting friction is the maximum value of force of friction between two
surfaces so long as there is no relative motion between them.
 KINETIC FRICTION

Kinetic friction ,also known as dynamic friction or sliding

friction, occurs when two objects are moving relative to
each other and rub together.

•  
Once the static friction is overcome, force of kinetic
friction is what slows down a moving object.
=x
= coefficient of kinetic friction
 Laws of limiting friction

a) The direction of force of friction is always opposite to the direction of motion.

(b) The force of limiting friction depends upon the nature and state of polish of
the surfaces in contact and acts tangentially to the interface between the two
surfaces.
(c) The magnitude of limiting friction ‘F’ is directly proportional to the magnitude
of the normal reaction R between the two surfaces in contact, i.e.,
F∝R
(d) The magnitude of the limiting friction between two surfaces is independent of
the area and shape of the surfaces in contact so long as the normal reaction
remains the same.
 Co-Efficient of Friction
According to the law of limiting friction,
F ∝  R
Or F = μR           ............ (1)
where μ is a constant of proportionality and is called the coefficient of limiting friction
between the two surfaces in contact. And is defined as the ratio of the force of limiting
friction and normal reaction between them. The value of μ depends on
(i) nature of the surfaces in contact i.e., whether dry or wet; rough or smooth; polished or
not polished.
(ii) material of the surfaces in contact.
Obviously, μ has no units.
 When a body is actually moving over the surface of another body, we place F by F x, the
kinetic friction, and μ and μk.
Therefore, μk is then called the coefficient of kinetic or dynamic friction. As Fk < F,
therefore, μk is always less than μ i.e. coefficient of kinetic or dynamic friction is always
less than the coefficient of limiting friction.
 ANGLE OF
FRICTION
The angle made by the resultant reaction force with
the vertical (normal reaction) is known as the angle of
the friction.
  Now,  in the triangle OAB,
AB/OB = cotθ
So, OB = AB / cotθ
            = AB tanθ
Or, tanθ = OB/AB
              = f / N
So, tanθ = f / N  = µs
 ANGLE OF REPOSE

It is the angle which an inclined plane makes with the horizontal so

that a body placed over it just begins to slide of its own accord.
Consider a body of mass m resting on an inclined plane of
inclination θ . The forces acting on the body are shown – Ff being the
force of friction. If friction is large enough, the body will not slide
down.
Along x: mg sin θ – f = 0          
Along y: N –mg cosθ = 0                
 i.e. N = mg cos θ and f = mg sin θ 
Thus, f ≤ µsN  gives,
mg sin θ ≤ µs mg cosθ 
So, tan θ ≤ µs. This signifies, the coefficient of static friction between
the two surfaces, in order that the body doesn’t slide down.
When θ is increased, then  tan θ >  µ . Thus sliding begins, and the
angle θr = tan-1µ. This angle is known as the angle of repose.
 ROLLING
FRICTION
Rolling friction is a friction that occurs between surfaces in motion in
which one of the surfaces is a wheel, roller, or ball.
 FLUID
FRICTION
Fluid friction is the force of friction exerted by liquids and gases (i.e. fluids) on
objects moving through them.
Fluid friction depends upon
• The speed of the object.
• Shape of the object.
• Nature of the fluid.
 FACTORS AFFECTING
FRICTION
• The irregularities of a surface.
• the extent to which the two surfaces press together.
• The regularity of a surface or its smoothness.
 ADVANTAGES OF
FRICTION
• Friction between our feet and the ground allows our movements like standing,
walking and running.
• It is possible to write with a pen or pencil on the paper because of friction
between them.
• Grooved tires treads allows space for water to be channeled away from the
road –tire contact point ,allowing for more friction in wet conditions.
 DISADVANTAGES OF
FRICTION
• Friction causes moving objects to stop or slow down.
• It produces heat causing wastage of energy in machines.
• It also causes wear and tear of moving parts of machinery ,soles of
shoes ,etc.
METHODS OF INCREASING AND REDUCING
FRICTION
In real life there circumstances where we have to
increase friction and also to minimize it.
Friction can be increased by increasing the
roughness of surfaces in contact. For example
treading of shoes and tires are done to to increase
friction for our own good.
We cannot completely get rid of friction but can
reduce it to great extent. Friction can reduced by
using lubricants like oil, grease and by using ball
bearings between machine parts.
Fluid friction can be minimized by giving suitable
shapes to the objects moving in the fluids.
 FRICTION IS A NECESSARY EVIL

There are instances in daily life where friction is a necessity .for example without
friction we cannot hold objects in our hands ; we cannot walk and cannot light a
matchstick. Sometimes friction is not desirable ,for example friction between
machinery parts, which causes wear and tear .As friction is advantageous to us
it is consider as a friend but due to disadvantages it is also act as our foe.
Depending on the circumstance, friction can be a help or hindrance. Thus it is a
necessary evil.
THANK YOU