CHAPTER 6
FRICTION
CHAPTER OUTLINE
6/1 Introduction
SECTION A Frictional Phenomena
6/2 Types of Friction
6/3 Dry Friction
Courtesy of Alyse Gagne
Article 6/1 Introduction
• Introduction and Overview
• Friction is a force that resists the movement of two contacting surfaces
that slide relative to one another.
• This force always acts tangent to the surface at the points of contact.
• Friction force is directed so as to oppose the possible or existing
motion between the surfaces.
Article 6/2 Types of Friction
• Dry Friction
Dry friction is encountered when two un-lubricated surfaces of two solids are
in contact under a condition of sliding or tendency to slide.
• Fluid Friction
Fluid friction is developed when adjacent layers in a fluid (liquid or gas) are
moving at different velocities.
• Internal Friction
Internal friction is found in all solid materials that are subjected to cyclic
loading. For highly elastic materials the recovery from deformation occurs
with very little loss of energy caused by internal friction.
Article 6/3 Dry Friction
• Mechanism of Dry Friction
The contacting surfaces possess a certain amount of roughness.
The experiment will involve the application of a horizontal
force P which will vary continuously from zero to a value
sufficient to move the block and give it an appreciable velocity.
• Block on a Rough Surface
• Free-Body Diagram
Article 6/3 – Plot of Friction Force
• Regions of Significance
• Static Friction Range, F < Fmax
• Impending Motion, F = Fmax = 𝜇sN
• Kinetic Friction, F = Fk = 𝜇kN
Article 6/3 – Friction Coefficients
• Coefficient of Static Friction, 𝜇s
• Coefficient of Kinetic Friction, 𝜇k
Article 6/3 – Friction Angles
When the friction force reaches its limiting static value Fmax , the angle
reaches a maximum value s .Thus
• Static Friction Angle, 𝜙s
• tan 𝜙s = 𝜇s
When slippage occurs, the angle will have a value k correspond ing
to the kinetic friction force. Thus
• Kinetic Friction Angle, 𝜙k
• tan 𝜙k = 𝜇k
Article 6/3 – Types of Friction Problems (1 of 3)
• Type I: Impending Motion
• Body is on the verge of slipping.
• Equilibrium holds for the body.
• F = Fmax = 𝜇sN
Article 6/3 – Types of Friction Problems (2 of 3)
• Type II: Unknown – Body may or may not be slipping
• Analysis Steps
1. Assume equilibrium of the body.
2. Solve for the necessary equilibrium friction force F.
3. Check the assumption of equilibrium.
a) If F < (Fmax = 𝜇sN):
Friction force necessary for equilibrium can be supported, and the body is in static
equilibrium as assumed. The actual friction force F is less than the limiting value Fmax.
b) If F = (Fmax = 𝜇sN):
Motion is impending, but the assumption of equilibrium still holds.
c) If F > (Fmax = 𝜇sN):
The surfaces cannot support more force than the maximum 𝜇sN, so the assumption of
equilibrium is invalid. Motion occurs and F = (Fk = 𝜇kN).
Article 6/3 – Types of Friction Problems (3 of 3)
• Type III: Relative Motion Exists (This is not available in the syllabus)
• Body is slipping.
• Equilibrium does not hold in the direction of slip.
• F = Fk = 𝜇kN
Article 6/3 – Sample Problem 6/1 (1 of 2)
• Problem Statement
Determine the maximum angle 𝜃 which the adjustable incline may have with the horizontal
before the block of mass m begins to slip. The coefficient of static friction between the block and
the inclined surface is 𝜇s.
Article 6/3 – Sample Problem 6/1 (2 of 2)
• Equilibrium Conditions
Article 6/3 – Sample Problem 6/2 (1 of 3)
• Problem Statement
Determine the range of values which the mass m0 may have so that the 100-kg block shown in
the figure will neither start moving up the plane nor slip down the plane. The coefficient of static
friction for the contact surfaces is 0.30.
Article 6/3 – Sample Problem 6/2 (2 of 3)
• Case I: Motion Impends Up the Plane
Article 6/3 – Sample Problem 6/2 (3 of 3)
• Case II: Motion Impends Down the Plane
Article 6/3 – Sample Problem 6/3 (1 of 4)
• Problem Statement
Determine the magnitude and direction of the friction force acting on the 100-kg block shown if,
first, P = 500 N and, second, P = 100 N. The coefficient of static friction is 0.20, and the
coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.17. The forces are applied with the block initially at rest.
Article 6/3 – Sample Problem 6/3 (2 of 4)
• Equilibrium Conditions
Article 6/3 – Sample Problem 6/3 (3 of 4)
• Case I: P = 500 N
Article 6/3 – Sample Problem 6/3 (4 of 4)
• Case II: P = 100 N