Friction: Class VIII Notes 1
1 Introduction to Friction
Friction is the force that opposes the relative motion or tendency of motion between two surfaces
in contact. It plays a crucial role in everyday activities, such as walking, writing, or stopping a
moving vehicle. Friction arises due to the interlocking of irregularities on the surfaces of objects.
2 Types of Friction
Friction can be classified into different types based on the nature of the surfaces and their motion:
1. Static Friction: Acts on objects that are at rest, preventing them from moving (e.g.,
pushing a heavy box that doesnt move).
2. Sliding Friction: Occurs when one object slides over another (e.g., sliding a book across
a table).
3. Rolling Friction: Acts when an object rolls over a surface (e.g., a ball rolling on the
ground). It is usually less than sliding friction.
4. Fluid Friction: Occurs when an object moves through a fluid (e.g., air or water resistance
when a car moves or a fish swims).
3 Factors Affecting Friction
The magnitude of frictional force depends on:
• Nature of Surfaces: Rough surfaces produce more friction than smooth ones (e.g.,
sandpaper vs. glass).
• Normal Force: The force pressing the surfaces together. More force (e.g., heavier object)
increases friction.
• Surface Area: For rolling friction, larger contact area may increase friction slightly, but
for sliding, it has minimal effect.
4 Characteristics of Friction
The table below summarizes key characteristics of friction:
Table 1: Characteristics of Friction
Feature Description
Acts in the opposite direction to the
Opposes Motion
motion or tendency of motion.
Requires physical contact between
Contact Force
surfaces.
Depends on Varies with surface roughness (rough
Surface surfaces have higher friction).
Friction generates heat due to surface
Produces Heat
interactions (e.g., rubbing hands).
Static friction adjusts to match the
Self-Adjusting
applied force up to a limit.
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Friction: Class VIII Notes 2
5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Friction
Friction has both positive and negative effects:
▷ Advantages:
◦ Enables walking by providing grip between feet and ground.
◦ Allows vehicles to move or stop using tire friction.
◦ Helps in writing by gripping the pen against paper.
◦ Holds objects in place (e.g., nails in wood).
▷ Disadvantages:
◦ Causes wear and tear in machine parts (e.g., engine components).
◦ Reduces efficiency by converting energy into heat.
◦ Slows down moving objects unnecessarily (e.g., bicycle on a rough road).
6 Methods to Increase or Reduce Friction
Friction can be controlled based on the need:
Table 2: Methods to Control Friction
Action Increase Friction Reduce Friction
Use smooth
Use rough surfaces
Surface Texture surfaces (e.g.,
(e.g., sandpaper).
polished metal).
Apply lubricants
Lubrication Avoid lubricants.
like oil or grease.
Add treads (e.g., Use rollers or ball
Design
shoe soles). bearings.
Increase contact Streamline shapes
Shape
area. for fluid friction.
7 Fluid Friction and Streamlining
Fluid friction, or drag, occurs when objects move through air or water. It depends on:
⋆ Speed: Higher speed increases fluid friction.
⋆ Shape: Streamlined shapes (e.g., fish, airplanes) reduce fluid friction.
⋆ Fluid Density: Denser fluids (e.g., water vs. air) cause more friction.
Streamlining reduces fluid friction by shaping objects to allow smooth flow (e.g., aerodynamic
cars or pointed noses of airplanes).
8 Examples of Frictional Forces
⋄ Static Friction: Pushing a heavy table that resists movement.
⋄ Sliding Friction: Dragging a sled across snow.
⋄ Rolling Friction: A cars wheels rolling on a road.
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Friction: Class VIII Notes 3
⋄ Fluid Friction: A parachute slowing descent due to air resistance.
9 Key Points for Revision
✓ Friction: Opposes motion between surfaces in contact.
✓ Types: Static, sliding, rolling, and fluid friction.
✓ Factors: Surface roughness, normal force, and contact area.
✓ Advantages: Enables walking, gripping, and holding objects.
✓ Disadvantages: Causes wear, reduces efficiency, and generates heat.
✓ Control: Increase with rough surfaces; reduce with lubricants or streamlining.
✓ Fluid Friction: Reduced by streamlining shapes for efficient movement.
10 References
For further reading:
→ NCERT Science Textbook for Class VIII, Chapter on Friction.
→ DAV Science Textbook for Class VIII, Chapter on Friction.
→ [Link] for NCERT resources.
Prepared for Class VIII Students