CHAPTER 12 FRICTION
1. Define friction. In what direction does the force of friction act ?
Ans. The force which acts at the surface of contact when one body moves
or tends to move on another body is called frictional force. The force of
friction acts in a direction opposite to the direction in which an object
moves or tends to move.
2. What are the factors affecting friction ?
Ans. I) The mass of the body.
ii) The nature of surfaces involved.
3. Define the types of friction.
Ans. I) Static friction: It is the force acting between the surfaces of two
stationary objects or the force acted at the surface when one object just
tends to move on another.
ii) Sliding friction : It is the force of friction between two surfaces when
one surface is actually sliding over another.
iii) Rolling friction : It is the force of friction between two surfaces when
one surface rolls over another.
4. What is the cause of friction ?
Ans. The interlocking of irregularities on two surfaces is the cause of
friction.
5. How can friction be measured ?
Ans. Friction can be measured using a spring balance. A spring balance
consists of a coiled spring which gets stretched as a force is applied. The
extent by which the spring gets stretched is a measure of the force
applied.
6. Give reasons :
a) Friction allows a just-landed airplane to halt.
Ans. It is because friction reduces the speed of a moving object and
bring it to rest.
b) Friction reduces the life of objects in use such as in automobiles.
Ans. It is because friction causes wear and tear of objects.
c) We slip and fall when we step on a banana peel .
Ans. It is because the inner side of the banana peel being smooth
and slippery reduces friction between the sole of the shoe and the
surface of the road.
d) Grooves are made in the sole of shoes.
Ans. It is to increase friction and prevent slipping.
e) Wheels reduce friction.
Ans. When we attach wheels, sliding friction is converted into rolling
friction. And rolling friction is less which makes it easier to pull
heavy objects.
f) Aeroplanes have streamlined shape.
Ans. It is to reduce drag that it encounters when flying at high
speed through the air .
7. Name some lubricants .
Ans. Oil , grease , graphite fine powder etc.
8. What are ball bearings ?
Ans. Ball bearing is a device which consists of a ring of small metal
balls. It is designed to make the moving parts of machine to roll over
each other rather than slide , thereby reducing friction .
9. What is fluid friction ? On what factors does it depend ?
Ans. The frictional force exerted by fluids (liquid or gas ) is called fluid
friction or drag . It depends on :
i) Speed of the object
ii) Shape of the object
iii) Size of the object
iv) Nature of the fluid
ASSIGNMENT
1. Out of the three types of friction we have learnt , which one is
smallest and which one is the largest?
2. Oiling the axles of a bicycle makes the bicycle move more easily.
Why ?
3. State any 3 advantages and disadvantages of friction .
4. What is meant by lubricant ? Why is it important?
5. A speed boat has a streamlined shape . Why ?
WORKSHEET
1. Name the force which always oppose the motion.
2. Which type of surfaces produce a) the least friction b )the most friction
3. Why is it difficult to walk on a wet marble floor?
4. Why do gymnasts apply a coarse substance to their hands?
5. What is the purpose of using ball bearings in machines?
CASE –STUDY
Activity 1
On Sunday Razak invited everybody to play carrom in his house. While
playing, striker was not moving properly from one place to another.
Everybody thought it is their bad luck. But Razia, one of the player,
quickly got up and sprinkled some talcum powder on the board.
[Link] is the effect of sprinkling powder on carom board?
[Link] any two lubricants.
Activity 2
Take a few pencils which are cylindrical in shape. Place them parallel to
each other on a table. Place a thick book over it . Now push the book. You
observe the pencils rolling as the book moves. Do you feel it easier to
move the book in this way than to slide it? Do you think that resistance to
the motion of the book has been reduced? Have you seen heavy
machinery being moved by placing logs under it
1. List four types of friction.
2. You can move heavy boxes by sliding them over the ground. Or you can
put them on a dolly, like the one in the Figure below, and then roll them
over the ground. Explain which way makes it easier to move the boxes.
PROJECT
Imagine that friction suddenly vanishes. How would life be affected? List
ten such situations.