Friction

Friction is the force which opposes the relative motion between two bodies in contact and acts
tangentially along the surfaces in contact.
Static Friction – The force of friction which exactly counter balances the applied force during the
stationary state of a body is called friction.
Applying a force F on the block ( fig below). As soon as force F is applied on the block, a frictional force f s
arises in a direction opposite of the applied force F to keep the block at rest ( so it is called static friction)
In this case, as the block is at the rest, so net force acting on the block is zero. That is
R – W =0 or R = W and F – fs = 0 or fs = F

Limiting Force of friction – The maximum value of static-frictional force which comes into play, when a
body is just going to start sliding over the surfaces of another body is called limiting force of friction.

Laws of Friction –
(i) The direction of the limiting force of friction is always opposite to the direction in which the motion of
a body takes place or tends to take place.
(ii) The force of friction acts tangentially along the surfaces of contact of two bodies.
(iii) The magnitude of the limiting force of friction (F) is directly proportional to the normal reaction (R)
between the two surfaces . That is, F ∝ R
(iv) Limting force of friction is independent of the area of the surface of contact of two bodies as long as
normal reaction is constant.
(v) Limiting force of friction depends on the nature of the surfaces in contact.

KINETIC FRICTION
Kinetic friction - the force of friction which comes into play when one body moves over the surface of
another body is called dynamic or kinetic friction.
Types – (i) Sliding friction – The force of friction which comes into play, when one body slides over the
other body. Eg, a wooden block is pulled or pushed over the ground.
(ii) Rolling friction – The force of friction which comes into play, when one body rolls over the
other body. Eg, a wheels rolls over the road.

Coefficient of Static Friction

The limiting force of friction (fs) is directly proportional to the normal reaction (R) between the two
surfaces in contact.
i.e. fs ∝ R or fs = μsR , where μs is called co-efficient of static friction.
Note : The law of static friction may be written as fs ≤ μsR
The value of μs depends on the nature of surfaces in contact. Also, .
Since the body is at rest , F ( Applied force) = fs and R = mg. Hence ,
Thus, coefficient of static friction is defined as the ratio of the magnitude of the limiting
force of friction to the normal reaction between two surfaces in contact.
Coefficient of static friction has no unit. It is just a number.

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Coefficient of Kinetic Friction
The kinetic force of friction (fk) is directly proportional to the normal reaction (R) between the two
surfaces in contact.
i.e. fk ∝ R or fk = μkR , where μk is called co-efficient of kinetic friction and R = mg.
Also, or
Thus, coefficient of kinetic friction is defined as the ratio of the magnitude of the kinetic force of friction to
the normal reaction between two surfaces in contact.
Coefficient of kinetic friction has no unit. It is just a number.

 A body at rest is set into motion only if the applied force on the body is greater than the limiting
force of friction of friction or maximum force of static friction fs , i.e.
(i) If applied force on a body, F < fs , body remains at rest.
(ii) If applied force on a body, F > fs , body moves .
(iii) If applied force on a body, F = fs , body is either at rest or moves
with constant velocity at rest.
 If force F is applied on a body in the horizontal direction as shown in figure (A), then kinetic force
of friction fk comes into existence if the body moves in the direction of the applied force. The
normal reaction ( R) is equal to the magnitude of the weight of the body. That is, R = W ( = mg )
Net force acting on the body in the direction of applied force force = F - fk
 If force F is applied on a body at an angle θ with the horizontal as shown fig (B),
The normal reaction is less than the weight of the body
i.e. R = W – F sinθ , which is less than the weight (W).
The net force acting on the moving body = F cosθ - fk

ANGLE OF FRICTION : The angle between the normal reaction and the resultant of limiting force of friction
and normal reaction is called angle of friction.
The resultant of limiting friction (F) and normal reaction (R) is represented by R’ . The angle between R
and R’ is called angle of friction
Now, tanθ = = = i.e. = tanθ
Thus, coefficient of static friction is numerically equal to the tangent
of the angle of friction.

ANGLE OF REPOSE : The minimum angle made by the inclined plane with the horizontal surfaces such
that the body lying on the inclined plane is just at the verge of sliding down the inclined plane is called
angle of repose.
Let α be the angle made by the inclined plane with the horizontal
surface such that the body of weight (mg) is just at the verge of the
sliding down. Let F be the force of friction between the surfaces of
inclined plane and the body placed over it. The body will be in
equilibrium, if net force acting on it is zero.
This is possible, if F mg sinα and R mgcosα
tanα = = i.e = tanα
Thus, coefficient of static friction is numerically equal to the tangent of the angle of repose.

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Relation between angle of friction and angle of repose
We know, = tanθ where θ is the angle of friction.
Also, = tanα where α is the angle of repose
i.e. tanθ = tanα or θ = α
Thus, angle of friction is equal to the angle of repose.

ACCELERATION OF A BODY SLIDING DOWN A ROUGH INCLINED PLANE

Let us consider a body of mass m resting on a rough inclined plane , when the inclination θ increases and
becomes greater than the angle of repose, the body starts sliding down the inclined plane.
Let a be the acceleration produced in the body.
Various forces acts on the body i.e.
(i) weight of the body ( = mg) which is vertically downwards.
(ii) Normal reaction ( R) which acts vertically upwards.
(iii) Force of friction (f) which opposes the relative motion of the body.
Now, resolve mg into two components (i) mgsinθ R ( normal reaction)
(ii) mgcosθ which acts in a direction opposite to the direction of the force of friction(f).
The body accelerates downward, if mgsinθ > f
Net force acting on the body of mass m along the surface of inclined plane in the downward direction is
given by F mgsinθ – f or ma mgsinθ – f ………… (1) ( As, F ma)
Now, f = R = mg cosθ [ Since, R mgcosθ]
Hence, eqn (1) becomes ma mgsinθ – mg cosθ
Or a g(sinθ – cosθ)
which is the acceleration of the body sliding down an inclined plane.

IT IS EASIER TO PULL THAN TO PUSH A BODY

Let a force F be applied at an angle θ with the horizontal to pull a body of weight Mg.
Let the applied force F is resolved into two components i.e. F cosθ and sinθ
The normal reaction, R = (Mg – Fsinθ)
Now, kinetic force of friction is given by f1 μkR μk(Mg – Fsinθ) ……. (1)
On the other hand, when the same force (F) is applied to push a body of weight Mg,
Then normal reaction, R (Mg + Fsinθ)
Now, kinetic force of friction is given by f2 μkR μk(Mg + Fsinθ) ……. (2)
From eqns. (1) and (2), it is clear that f2 > f1
Hence, it is easier to pull than to push a body.

FRICITION IS NECESSARY EVIL

Disadvantages
i. Huge amount of heat is release
ii. It restricts the speed of moving of a body.
iii. It causes lots of wear and tear in the moving parts of a machine.
Advantages
i. The force helps us to move on the surface of Earth.
ii. The force of friction between the tyres of a vehicle and the road helps the vehicle to move or stop.
iii. The force helps many mechanical works.
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Methods of reducing Friction
(i) Polishing the surfaces (ii) Lubrication (iii) By providing the streamlined ( or conical ) shape.

CIRCULAR MOTION ( CENTRIPETAL FORCE)

The force which deviates a moving body from its linear path path to move it along a circular path and is
directed radially inwards ( i.e towards the centre of the circular path) is called centripetal force.
It is given by, F m r

Let us consider a particle of mass m having uniform circular motion. Let r be the radius of the circle along
which the particle moves. The centripetal acceleration of the particle is given by , a

Therefore, centripetal force is given by , F ma m

If be the angular velocity of the particle, then v r
( )
Hence, F mr 2

Now, , where T is the time period of the particle.

F mr ( )
But = v , where v is the frequency of revolution of the particle. Then, F mr

MOTION OF A VEHICLE ON A LEVEL CIRCULAR ROAD.

Let us consider a car of mass m moving with a constant speed c on a flat horizontal circular road of radius
r. The various forces acting on the care are :
(i) The weight ( W = mg) of the car in the vertically downward direction.
(ii) The normal reaction (R) of the ground on the car in the upward direction.
(iii) Force of friction f between the tyres of the car and the road.
Since the car is not accelerated in the vertically upward direction, so net force
acting on the car in the vertically upward direction is zero.
That is, R – mg = 0 or R = mg
Since the car is moving in a circular path, so it requires centripetal force, . The centripetal force
must be provided by the force of friction f ( i.e. static friction )between the tyres of the car and the
ground.
The car remains moving on the road, if
f or μR

μ mg
v ≤ √μ rg
v √μ rg
The car can negotiate the flat ( or level ) rough circular path with a maximum speed given by vmax. If the
speed of the car exceeds the speed given by vmax , then the force of friction is not sufficient to provide the
necessary centripetal force required by the car to negotiate the flat curved road. Hence, the car will skid
and go off the road.
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MOTION OF A VEHICLE ON A BANKED CIRCULAR ROAD
Let us consider a car of mass m moving on a banked rough road of radius (r) . The various force acting on
the car are (i) weight ( W = mg) of the car acting vertically downward through the centre of gravity.
(ii) Normal reaction R of the road on the car.
(iii) The force of friction (f) between the tyres and the road.
Resolving R into two components i.e. Rcosθ and R sinθ
Similarly, fcosθ and fsinθ be the horizontal and vertical components of the
force of friction(f).
For the equilibrium of the car, mg + fsinθ Rcosθ
Or, mg Rcosθ - fsinθ ………. (1)
Also, (Rsinθ + fcosθ)acts towards the centre of the circular banked road
And provides the necessary centripetal force to the car.

i.e. Rsinθ + fcosθ …………. (2)

Dividing eqn (2) by (1) , we get

( )
( Since, μ )
( )

( )
Or, v [ ]
The optimum speed to negotiate a curve can be obtained by putting μ = 0 or v √rg tanθ

There will be minimum wear and tear of the tyres of the car moving with this speed.

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