ROMBLON STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

Odiongan, Romblon

PHYSICS FOR ENGINEERS

Mechanical Engineering Department
S.Y. 2023 – 2024

Chapter 3: Friction motion, it is easier to keep it in motion than it

was to get it started, indicating that the
Friction is a force that is around us all the
kinetic friction force is less than the static friction
time that opposes relative motion between
force. If you add mass to the crate, say by
systems in contact but also allows us to
placing a box on top of it, you need to
move (which you discovered if you have
push even harder to get it started and also to
ever tried to walk on ice). While a common
keep it moving. Furthermore, if you oiled the
force, the behavior of friction is actually
concrete, you would find it to be easier to
very complicated and is still not completely
get the crate started and keep it going (as
understood. We must rely heavily on
you might expect).
observations for whatever understandings
we can gain. However, we can still deal with
its more elementary general characteristics
and understand the circumstances in
which it behaves.

FRICTION
It is a force that opposes relative The figure above is a crude pictorial
motion between systems in contact. representation of how friction occurs at the
interface between two objects. Close-up
One of the simpler characteristics of inspection of these surfaces shows them to
friction is that it is parallel to the contact be rough. So when you push to get an
surface between systems and always in a object moving (in this case, a crate), you must
direction that opposes motion or attempted raise the object until it can skip along with the
motion of the system relative to each other. If just the tips of the surface hitting, break off the
two systems are in contact and moving points, or do both. A considerable force
relative to one another, then the friction can be resisted by friction with no apparent
between them is called kinetic friction. For motion. The harder the surfaces are pushed
example, friction slows a hockey puck together (such as if another box is placed
sliding on ice. But when objects are on the crate), the more force is needed to
stationary, static friction can act between move them. Part of the friction is due
them; the statics friction is usually greater than adhesive forces between the surface
the kinetic friction between the objects. molecules of the two objects, which
explain the dependence of friction on the
KINETIC FRICTION nature of the substances. Adhesion varies
If two systems are in contact and the substances in contact and is
moving relative to one another, then the complicated aspect of surface physics.
friction between them is called kinetic Once an object is moving, there are fewer
friction. points of contact (fewer molecules
adhering), so less force is required to keep
Imagine, for example, trying to slide a the object moving. At small but nonzero
heavy crate across a concrete floor – you speeds, friction is nearly independent of
may push harder and harder on the crate speed.
and not move it at all. This means that the
statics friction responds to what you do – it Frictional forces, such as f, always
increases to be equal to and in the oppose motion or attempted motion
opposite direction of your push. But if you between objects in contact. Friction arises
finally push hard enough, the crate seems to in part because of the roughness of the
slip suddenly and starts to move. Once in surfaces in contact, as seen in the
ENGR. JED CHRISTIAN A. VELARDE Page 1 of 6
expanded view. In order for the object to Coefficients of Static and Kinetic Friction
move, it must rise to where the peaks can skip Static Kinetic
along the bottom surface. Thus a force is System friction friction
μs μk
required just to set the object in motion,
Rubber on dry concrete 1.0 0.7
some of the peaks will be broken off, also Rubber on wet concrete 0.7 0.5
requiring a force to maintain motion. Much Wood on wood 0.5 0.3
of the friction is actually due to attractive Waxed wood on wet
snow 0.14 0.1
forces between molecules making up the
two objects, so that even perfectly smooth Metal on wood 0.5 0.3
surfaces are not friction-free. Such adhesive Steel on steel (dry) 0.6 0.3
Steel on steel (oiled) 0.05 0.03
forces also depend on the substances the
Teflon on steel 0.04 0.04
surfaces are made of, explaining, for
Bone lubricated
example, why rubber-soled shoes slip less than 0.016 0.015
by synovial fluid
those with leather shoes. Shoes on wood 0.9 0.7
The magnitude of the frictional force Shoes on ice 0.1 0.05
has two forms: one for static situations Ice on ice 0.1 0.03
Steel on ice 0.4 0.02
(static friction), the other for when there is
motion (kinetic friction).
As seen in table above, the
When there is no motion between coefficients of kinetic friction are less than
the objects, the magnitude of static friction fs their static counterparts. The values of μ in
is fs ≤ μsN, where μs is the coefficient of static the table are stated to only one, or, at most,
friction and N is the magnitude of the normal two digits is an indication of the
approximate description of friction given by
force (the force perpendicular to the
the two equations earlier.
surface).

The equations earlier include the

STATIC FRICTION dependence of friction on materials and
Magnitude of static friction fs is fs ≤ the normal force. The direction of friction is
μsN, where μs is the coefficient of static always opposite that of motion, parallel to
friction and N is the magnitude of the the surface between objects, and
normal force. perpendicular to the normal force. For
example, if the crate you try to push (with a
The symbol ≤ means less than or
force parallel to the floor) has a mass of 100
equal to, implying that static friction can
kg, then the normal force would be equal to its
have a minimum and a maximum value of
weight, W = mg = (100 kg) (9.81 m/s2) = 981 N,
μsN. Static friction is a responsive force that
increases to be equal and opposite to perpendicular to the floor. If the coefficient
whatever force is exerted, up to its of static friction is 0.45, you would have to
maximum limit. Once the applied force exert a force parallel to the floor greater than
exceeds fs(max), the object will move. Thus fs(max) = μsN = (0.45) (981 N) = 441.45 N to move
fs(max) = μsN. the crate. Once there is motion, friction is
less and the coefficient of kinetic friction
Once an object is moving, the might be 0.30, so that a force of only
magnitude of kinetic friction fk is given by fk 294.3 N, fk = μkN = (0.30) (981 N) = 294.3 N
= μkN, where μk is the coefficient of kinetic would
friction. A system in which fk = μkN is keep it moving at a constant speed. If
described as a system in which friction the floor is lubricated, both coefficients are
behaves simply. considerably less than they would be
without lubrication. Coefficient friction is a
MAGNITUDE OF KINETIC FRICTION unit less quantity with a magnitude usually
Magnitude of kinetic friction fs is fk ≤ between 0 and 1.0. The coefficient if the
μkN, where μk is the coefficient of kinetic friction depends on the two surfaces that
friction. are in contact.

ENGR. JED CHRISTIAN A. VELARDE Page 2 of 6

 EXAMPLE 1 Discussion
A skier with a mass of 62 kg is sliding down This result is a little smaller than the
a snowy slope. Find the coefficient of coefficient listed in the table for waxed
kinetic friction for the skier if friction is known to wood on snow, but it is still reasonable since
be 45.0 N. values of the coefficients of friction can
vary greatly. In situations like this, where an
Strategy object of mass m slides down a slope that
The magnitude of kinetic friction was makes an angle θ with the horizontal,
given to be 45.0 N. Kinetic friction is related friction is given by 𝑓𝑘 =𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔 cos 𝜃. All
to the normal force N as fk = μkN; thus, the objects will slide down a slope with
coefficient of kinetic friction can be found if constant acceleration under these
we can find the normal force of the skier on a circumstances.
slope. The normal force is always
perpendicular to the surface, and since EXAMPLE 2
there is no motion perpendicular to the A box weighing 100 N starts to move
surface, the normal force should be equal across a horizontal surface when a
the component of the skier’s weight horizontal force of 25 N is applied to it, but
perpendicular to the slope. a force of only 20 N is needed to keep it
moving in uniform motion.
a) What are the coefficients of static
and kinetic friction?
b) If the force is not applied horizontally
but in a direction 30° above the
horizontal, find the static and kinetic
friction.

The motion of the skier and friction

are parallel to the slope and so it is most
convenient to project all forces onto a
coordinate system where one axis is parallel
to the slope and the other is perpendicular. N
(the normal force is perpendicular to the
slope. And f (the friction) is parallel to the
slope, but w (the skier’s weight) has
components along both axes, namely 𝑤⊥
and 𝑤∥ . N is equal to the magnitude 𝑤⊥, so Solution:
there is no motion perpendicular to the slope. From the above figure:
However, 𝑓 is less than 𝑤∥ in magnitude, so
there is acceleration down the slope (along ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
the x-axis). That is, 𝑁=𝑊
𝑁 = 𝑤⊥ = 𝑤 cos 25 = 𝑚𝑔 cos 25
𝑁 = 100 𝑁
Substituting this into our expression for
and
kinetic friction, we get 𝑓𝑘 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔 cos 25°,
which can now be solved for the coefficient ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0
of kinetic friction 𝜇𝑘. 𝐹=𝑓
𝑓 = 25 𝑁
Solution a) 𝑓 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑁
Solving for 𝜇𝑘 gives 25𝑁 = 𝜇𝑠 (100 𝑁)
𝑓𝑘 𝑓𝑘 𝑓𝑘 𝝁𝒔 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓
𝜇𝑘 = = =
𝑁 𝑤 cos 25 𝑚𝑔 cos 25
Substituting the known values on the Also,
right-hand side of the equation
𝑓 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑁
45.0 𝑁
𝜇𝑘 = 20 𝑁 = 𝜇𝑘 (100 𝑁)
𝑚
(62 𝑘𝑔) (9.81 2 ) (cos 25) 𝝁𝒌 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓
𝑠
𝝁𝒌 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟖𝟐
b)
ENGR. JED CHRISTIAN A. VELARDE Page 3 of 6
From the figure,
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 Given:
𝐹 cos 30 − 𝑓 = 0 3
𝜃 = arctan ( ) = 36.87°. 𝜇𝑘 = 0.25, 𝑊 = 50 𝑁
𝐹 cos 30 = 𝑓 4
𝐹 cos 30 = 𝜇𝑁 (𝑒𝑞. 1)
Solution:
Also, The forces acting on the block are as
shown:
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
𝑁 + 𝐹 sin 30 − 𝑊 = 0
𝑁 + 𝐹 sin 30 = 𝑊
𝑁 = 𝑊 − 𝐹 sin 30 (𝑒𝑞. 2)

Equating the two equations, we get

𝐹 cos 30 = 𝜇𝑁 𝑁 = 𝑊 − 𝐹 sin 30
𝐹 cos 30 = 𝜇(𝑊 − 𝐹 sin 30)
𝐹 cos 30
𝜇=
𝑊 − 𝐹 sin 30
For 𝜇𝑠 ,
𝐹 cos 30
𝜇𝑠 =
𝑊 − 𝐹 sin 30
25 𝑁 cos 30
𝜇𝑠 =
100 𝑁 − 25 𝑁 sin 30
𝝁𝒔 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟒𝟕
For 𝜇𝑘 ,
𝐹 cos 30
𝜇𝑠 =
𝑊 − 𝐹 sin 30
20 cos 30
𝜇𝑠 =
100 − 20 sin 30
𝝁𝒌 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟗𝟐

Example 3 From the figure,

On an inclined plane, 4 ft wide at the
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0
base and 3 ft high, a 50 N body is pulled up
by a force 30° above the plane as shown. If 𝐹 cos 30 − 𝑓𝑘 − 𝑊 sin 36.87 = 0
the body moved upward uniformly, find the 𝐹 cos 30 = 𝑓𝑘 + 𝑊 sin 36.87
magnitude of the applied force if the 𝐹 cos 30 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑁 + 𝑊 sin 36.87 (𝑒𝑞. 1)
coefficient of kinetic friction between the Also,
surfaces in contact is 0.25.
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
𝑁 + 𝐹 sin 30 − 𝑊 cos 36.87 = 0
𝑁 = 𝑊 cos 36.87 − 𝐹 sin 30 (𝑒𝑞. 2)

Substitute eq. 2 to eq. 1:

𝐹 cos 30 = 𝜇𝑘 (𝑊 cos 36.87 − 𝐹 sin 30)
+ 𝑊 sin 36.87

ENGR. JED CHRISTIAN A. VELARDE Page 4 of 6

 𝐹 cos 30 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑊 cos 36.87 − 𝜇𝑘 𝐹 sin 30 343.35 𝑁 − (0.5)(50 𝑘𝑔)(9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2 )
𝑎=
+ 𝑊 sin 36.87 50 𝑘𝑔
𝐹 cos 30 + 𝜇𝑘 𝐹 sin 30 𝒂 = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟔𝟐 𝒎/𝒔𝟐
= 𝜇𝑘 𝑊 cos 36.87 + 𝑊 sin 36.87
Example 5
𝐹 (cos 30 + 𝜇𝑘 sin 30)
A 50 kg block rests on a rough
= 𝑊 (𝜇𝑘 cos 36.87 + sin 36.87)
horizontal floor. The coefficient of kinetic
𝑊 (𝜇𝑘 cos 36.87 + sin 36.87) friction between the block and the floor is
𝐹=
(cos 30 + 𝜇𝑘 sin 30) 0.25. if a horizontal force of 180 N acts in
50 𝑁 (0.25 cos 36.87 + sin 36.87) the block for 3 seconds, find the velocity of
𝐹=
(cos 30 + 0.25 sin 30) the block at the end of that time.
𝑭 = 𝟒𝟎. 𝟑𝟔𝟐 𝑵

Example 4
A 50 kg block rests on the floor. The
coefficient of static friction and kinetic
friction are 0.70 and 0.50 respectively.
a) What is the minimum force needed
to move the block?
b) If the same force continues to push
the block after it starts sliding, what
will be its acceleration?
Solution:
As in the preceding problem,
∑ 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎
𝐹 − 𝑓𝑘 = 𝑚𝑎
𝐹 − 𝜇𝑘 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑎
𝐹 − 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔 = 𝑚𝑎
𝐹 − 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔
𝑎=
𝑚
180 𝑁 − (0.25)(50 𝑘𝑔)(9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2 )
𝑎=
50 𝑘𝑔
𝑎 = 1.148 𝑚/𝑠 2

𝑣 = 𝑣0 + 𝑎𝑡
𝑣 = 0 + (1.148 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(3 𝑠)
𝒗 = 𝟑. 𝟒𝟒𝟒 𝒎/𝒔
Solution:
a) The forces acting are shown:
Example 6
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
Three blocks are connected as
𝐹−𝑓 =0 𝑁−𝑊 =0
shown. The acceleration of the system is 2
𝐹=𝑓 𝑁=𝑊
m/s2 to the left and the surfaces are rough.
𝑓 ≤ 𝜇𝑁
Find
To make the block move, the
a) The tensions in the strings, and
maximum static friction given by 𝑓𝑠 =
b) The coefficient of kinetic friction
𝑚𝑢𝑠 𝑁 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑊 must be overcome. Hence,
the minimum force needed to move the
block is
𝐹 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑊
𝐹 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑚𝑔
𝐹 = (0.70)(50 𝑘𝑔)(9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2 )
𝐹 = 343.35 𝑁

b) As the block moves

∑ 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 Solution:
Forces acting for the 10 kg:
𝐹 − 𝑓𝑘 = 𝑚𝑎
𝐹 − 𝜇𝑘 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑎
𝐹 − 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔 = 𝑚𝑎
𝐹 − 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔
𝑎=
𝑚

ENGR. JED CHRISTIAN A. VELARDE Page 5 of 6

 𝑚
𝑁3 = (3 𝑘𝑔) (9.81 𝑠 2 ) cos 25
𝑁3 = 26.673 𝑁

∑ 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎
𝑇2 − 𝑊3 sin 25 − 𝑓 = 𝑚3 𝑎
𝑇2 − 𝑚3 𝑔 sin 25 − 𝜇𝑘 𝑁3 = 𝑚3 𝑎
𝑚
𝑇2 − (3𝑘𝑔) (9.81 2) sin 25 − 𝜇𝑘 (26.673 𝑁) =
𝑠
(3 𝑘𝑔)(2 𝑚/𝑠 2 )
𝑇2 − 12.438 𝑁 − 𝜇𝑘 (26.673 𝑁) = 6 𝑁
𝑇2 − 𝜇𝑘 (26.673 𝑁) = 18.438 𝑁 𝑒𝑞. 2

∑ 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 Substituting eq. 1 to eq. 2,

𝑊10 − 𝑇1 = 𝑚10 𝑎 68.1 − 𝜇𝑘 (49.05 𝑁) − 𝜇𝑘 (26.673 𝑁) = 18.438 𝑁
(10 𝑘𝑔)(9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2 ) − 𝑇_1 = (10 𝑘𝑔)(2 𝑚/𝑠 2 ) 49.662 𝑁 = 𝜇𝑘 (75.723 𝑁)
𝑻𝟏 = 𝟕𝟖. 𝟏 𝑵 𝝁𝒌 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟓𝟔

Forces acting for the 5 kg: To get the value of 𝑇2, substitute the
value of 𝜇𝑘 to eq. 1 or eq. 2, we get,
𝑇2 − 𝜇𝑘 (26.673 𝑁) = 18.438 𝑁
𝑇2 − 0.656(26.673 𝑁) = 18.438 𝑁
𝑻𝟐 = 𝟑𝟓. 𝟗𝟑𝟓 𝑵

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
𝑁5 − 𝑊5 = 0
𝑁5 = 𝑊5

∑ 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎
𝑇1 − 𝑇2 − 𝑓 = 𝑚5 𝑎
𝑇1 − 𝑇2 − 𝜇𝑘 𝑁5 = 𝑚5 𝑎
𝑇1 − 𝑇2 − 𝜇𝑘 𝑊5 = 𝑚5 𝑎
78.1 𝑁 − 𝑇2 − 𝜇𝑘 (5 𝑘𝑔)(9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2 ) =
(5 𝑘𝑔)(2 𝑚/𝑠 2 )
𝑇2 = 68.1 𝑁 − 𝜇 (49.05 𝑁) 𝑒𝑞. 1

Forces acting for the 3 kg:

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
𝑁3 − 𝑊3 cos 25 = 0
𝑁3 = 𝑊3 cos 25
𝑁3 = 𝑚3 𝑔 cos 25
ENGR. JED CHRISTIAN A. VELARDE Page 6 of 6