Answer: Friction is a necessary force in our daily life.
It can
be both useful (a friend) and problematic (a foe) depending
Class 8 Science – Chapter 9: Friction on the situation.
Q4. Suppose your writing desk is tilted a little. A book 🟢 Friction as a Friend (Helpful Uses)
kept on it starts sliding down. Show the direction of the
frictional force acting on it. Friction helps us in many ways and makes everyday activities
possible.✍️Examples:---
Answer: The book moves downward.
Frictional force acts upward, opposing the motion of the 1. Walking or Running:
book. We are able to walk because of friction between our
shoes and the ground. Without it, our feet would slip
Q5. You spill a bucket of soapy water on a marble floor and we wouldn’t be able to move forward.
accidentally. Would it make it easier or more difficult for
you to walk on the floor? Why? 2. Writing with a Pen or Pencil:
Friction between the tip of the pen or pencil and the
Answer: It would be more difficult to walk.
paper allows us to write. If there were no friction, the
Because the soapy floor reduces friction, and less friction
ink or graphite wouldn’t stick to the paper.
means less grip, so we may slip easily.
Q6. Explain why sportsmen use shoes with spikes. 3. Braking in Vehicles:
Friction between the brake pads and the wheels slows
Answer:"Spikes increase friction and give better grip with down or stops vehicles. Without friction, it would be
the ground. It avoids slipping of sportsmen while playing impossible to control the speed.
or running."
4. Holding Objects:
Q7. Iqbal has to push a lighter box and Seema has to push We can hold or grip things like a glass or a bat
a similar heavier box on the same floor. Who will have to because of friction between our hands and the
apply a larger force and why? object’s surface.
Answer: Friction force is directly proportional to mass. 🔴 Friction as a Foe (Harmful Effects)
Seema will apply more force.
A heavier object has more friction with the floor, so more While friction is useful, it can also cause damage and energy
force is required to move it. loss in certain situations.
Q8. Explain why sliding friction is less than static friction. ⚙️Examples:
Answer: In static friction, irregularities on the surfaces 1. Wear and Tear of Machines:
interlock strongly. Moving parts in machines rub against each other and
When an object starts sliding, these interlocks are partially cause wear, which reduces the life of the machine.
broken, so sliding friction is less than static friction. When
an object moves in a fluid (like air or water), the fluid 2. Loss of Efficiency:
pushes against it. This push is called fluid friction or drag. Friction converts some useful energy (like motion)
Fluid friction slows down moving objects. into heat, which is wasted. This reduces the
efficiency of machines and engines.
To move easily in a fluid, the object must have a special
shape called a streamlined shape. 3. Overheating of Engines and Machines:
A streamlined body is thin in the front and back and wider The friction between moving parts causes heating,
in the middle. This shape helps the object cut through the which may damage parts or require extra cooling.
fluid smoothly and reduces resistance.
4. More Fuel Consumption:
🐠 Examples of Streamlined Shapes: In vehicles, friction in engine parts means more fuel
is needed to overcome resistance.
Fish – swims easily in water
Q10. Explain why objects moving in fluids must have
Birds – fly fast in air
special shapes.
Airplanes – move fast with less air resistance Answer: When an object moves in a fluid (like air or
Boats and Submarines – move easily in water water), the fluid pushes against it. This push is called fluid
friction or drag.
📌 Conclusion: Objects moving in fluids have streamlined Fluid friction slows down moving objects.
shapes to reduce friction, so they can move faster and
more easily. To move easily in a fluid, the object must have a special
shape called a streamlined shape.
Q9. Give examples to show that friction is both a friend A streamlined body is thin in the front and back and wider
and a foe. in the middle. This shape helps the object cut through the
fluid smoothly and reduces resistance.
Examples of Streamlined Shapes: 1)Fish – swims Q4. What is lubrication? How does it reduce friction?
easily in water 2) Birds – fly fast in air
Answer: Lubrication means applying substances like oil,
3 )Aeroplanes – move fast with less air resistance grease, or graphite between two surfaces that rub against
4) Boats and Submarines – move easily in water each other.
📌 Conclusion: Objects moving in fluids have streamlined 🔹 Lubricants fill the gaps between rough surfaces and make
shapes to reduce friction, so they can move faster and them smooth, so friction becomes less.
more easily.
Example: Lubricants are used in bicycle chains, car
EXTRA QUESTIONS engines, machines, etc., to reduce wear and help parts move
easily.
Q1. What are the different types of friction? Explain each
with examples. Q5. How does friction help us in daily life?
Answer: There are three main types of friction: Answer: Friction helps us in many daily activities:
1. Static Friction: This friction acts when an object is 1. Walking – Without friction between our feet and the
not moving, but we try to move it. ground, we would slip.
🔹 Example: Pushing a cupboard that doesn't move.
Static friction is strongest among all. 2. Writing – Friction between pen/pencil and paper
allows us to write.
2. Sliding Friction: This friction occurs when an object
slides over a surface. 3. Holding objects – We can grip things because of
🔹 Example: Sliding a book on a table. friction between our hands and the object.
3. Rolling Friction: This friction happens when an 4. Brakes in vehicles – Friction between brake pads
object rolls over a surface. and wheels helps to stop the vehicle.
🔹 Example: A ball or a wheel rolling on the ground. 5. Matchstick lighting – Friction helps to produce
Rolling friction is the least among the three. heat, which lights the match.
Q2. Why is it easier to roll an object than to slide it? Q6. What is fluid friction? How can it be reduced?
Answer: It is easier to roll an object because rolling friction Answer: Fluid friction is the resistance offered by liquids
is less than sliding friction. and gases (fluids) to objects moving through them.
When an object rolls, less surface area is in contact with the Example: A fish swimming in water or an airplane flying in
ground, so there is less resistance. air faces fluid friction.
🔹 That’s why we use wheels in suitcases, vehicles, and 🔽 How to reduce it: Use streamlined shape (narrow front
trolleys — to move heavy loads easily. and back).
Q3. How can we increase and decrease friction? Give 👉 Example: Boats, birds, and airplanes are streamlined to
examples. reduce drag.
Answer:👉 To Increase Friction (when we want more grip): Q7. What are some ways to increase friction?
Make the surface rough – Sprinkle sand or gravel
Answer: We can increase friction when we need more grip
on slippery roads. or control:
Use grooved tyres – Helps vehicles grip the road. 1. Make surfaces rough – Like putting sand on
slippery roads.
Wearing shoes with grip – Prevents slipping while
walking or running. 2. Use rubber materials – Rubber soles on shoes give
better grip.
👉 To Decrease Friction (to reduce wear and tear or to move
things easily): 3. Use grooves or patterns – Grooved tyres give better
road grip.
Use lubricants like oil or grease – in machines,
engines, etc. 4. Apply force – Pressing two surfaces tightly increases
friction.
Use wheels or ball bearings – to reduce friction in
moving parts.
Polish the surface – Makes it smooth, so less
friction occurs.