FRICTION

Friction (or friction force, or frictional force) is the resistance encountered by an object
moving relative to another object with which it is in contact. It is simply the type of force that
resists the motion of a body. It can also be described as the tangential force acting on an
object and opposing the sliding of that object on an adjacent surface with which it is in
contact. Even when there is no relative motion, frictional force may exist between surfaces
(i.e. frictional forces prevent or oppose relative motion).

Importance of Frictional Forces

(i) It brings every rotating shaft to a halt.
(ii) It helps humans to walk.
(iii) It helps automobiles to move.
(iv) It aids in holding a pen to write.
(v) It controls motion and rotation.

NB: Frictional causes though supports motion, it is however not desirable because
(i) It causes wear and tear
(ii) It leads to loss of energy

Characteristics or Laws of Friction

1. An object at rest will only move if an applied external force with a certain threshold
magnitude above the frictional force acts parallel to the surface in contact with the object.

2. The magnitude of the frictional force (tangential force), , acting on a moving object is
directly proportional to the magnitude of the normal force (normal reaction), .
That is, ∝
=
Hence, the coefficient of friction, , depends on the nature of the surfaces in contact, and
is constant for two given similar materials. That is = ⁄ (Where is a dimensionless
quantity or constant)

3. The frictional force acting on an object at rest is greater than the one acting on the same
object in motion at constant velocity. Hence the coefficient of static or limiting friction (for
frictional force when object is at rest), , will be greater than the coefficient of kinetic or
dynamic friction (for frictional force when object is in motion), . i.e. >

4. Friction force is independent of the size of the contact area between object and surface.

5. Friction force depends on the nature of the surfaces. That is, rougher surfaces will generally
provide more friction than smoother surfaces. Hence, the coefficient of friction depends on
the following: (i) nature of material or surfaces in contact, (ii) surface finish, (iii) surface
films, (iv) temperature, (v) extent of contamination.

6. Friction force is independent of the velocity of the object.

1
  Consider an object on an horizontal surface as shown in figure 3
∝
=

= = (Where is the mass of the object and

Figure 3 is the acceleration due to gravity).

For two surfaces at rest (i.e. no motion),

= ( - coefficient of static or limiting friction)

For two surfaces sliding over one another,

= ( - coefficient of kinetic or dynamic friction)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

 The coefficient of friction between two solid surfaces can be practically obtained using
two methods: (i) Direct method and (ii) Slope method

(i) Direct method: In this method, an object will a known mass, , is pulled across a
horizontal surface by a newtonmeter and the force required is recorded.

(ii) Slope method: In this method, an object is placed on a slope as shown in figure 4
below.

Figure 4: Object sliding on a slope

For an object sliding down a slope

= cos and = sin
=

sin
= cos
= tan

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Examples/Tutorials:
(1) A force of 200N is just sufficient to start a 50kg steel trunk moving across a wooden
floor. Find the coefficient of static friction (Take as 9.8 / ).
Solution
(a) = 200 , = 50 , =?

2
 Coefficient of static friction, = = 200 50 × 9.8 = 0.408

(2) How much force is needed to keep a 1500kg car moving at constant velocity on a level
concrete road? Assume that the car is moving too slowly or air resistance to be
important, use = 0.04 for the coefficient of rolling friction and take as 9.8 / .
Solution
=? , = 1500 , = 0.04
=
Thus = = 0.04 × 1500 × 9.8 = 588

(3) A bowling ball with an initial velocity of 3m/s rolls along a level floor for 50m before
coming to a stop. What is the coefficient of rolling friction?
Solution
= 3 / , = 0, = 50 , =?
= =
=
From Newton’s law of motions, = +2
( − ) (0 − 3 )
= 2 = (2 × 50) = −0.09 /

Thus, = 0.09 9.8 = 0.0092

(4) A force of 1000N is applied to a 1200kg car. If the coefficient of friction is 0.04, what is
the car’s acceleration? (take g=9.8 m/s2)
Solution
= 1000 , = 1200 , = 0.04, = 9.8 /
=
Thus, =
= = 0.04 × 9.8 = 0.392 /

(5) A steel ramp is to be built for sliding blocks of ice from a refrigeration plant down to
ground level. If = 0.05, find the angle with the horizontal at which the ice will slide
at constant velocity.
Solution
= 0.05, =?
= tan
= tan = tan (0.05)
Thus, = 2.86

(6) A car whose brakes are locked skids to a stop in 70m from an initial velocity of 25m/s.
Find the coefficient of sliding friction (take as 9.8 / ).