LESSON NOTE: FRICTION

Class: SS1 (Grade 10)

Friction plays a central role in daily life. It is the reason we can walk
without slipping, cars can move on roads, machines operate, and objects
come to rest. At the same time, friction causes wear, energy loss, and
heating of machine parts. Understanding friction helps students appreciate
the balance between useful and harmful effects of forces that act between
surfaces in contact.
Friction is the force that opposes or resists the relative motion or the
tendency for motion between two surfaces in contact.
It acts parallel to the surfaces and opposite to the direction of motion or
intended motion.
It arises due to microscopic irregularities on surfaces.
It always opposes motion.
It can convert mechanical energy into heat.
Its magnitude depends on the normal reaction and nature of surfaces.
TYPES OF FRICTION
1. Static Friction:
The frictional force that prevents a body at rest from moving even when a
force is applied. It must be overcome before motion begins.
Example: Pushing a heavy box that does not move.
2. Limiting Friction:
The maximum value of static friction just before motion begins.
3. Sliding or Kinetic Friction
The friction acting between two surfaces that are sliding over each other.
Example: Sliding a book across a table.
4. Rolling Friction
The friction acting when an object rolls over another surface. It is much
smaller than sliding friction.
Example: Car tyres rolling on a road.
5. Fluid Friction
The friction experienced when an object moves through a fluid (liquid or
gas). Also called drag or viscous force.
Example: A swimmer moving through water.
Important relationship:
Static friction is greater than sliding friction, and sliding friction is greater
than rolling friction.
LAWS OF FRICTION
1. Friction acts in a direction opposite to the motion or attempted motion of
a body.
2. Friction acts tangentially to the surfaces in contact.
3. Friction depends on the nature and roughness of surfaces in contact.
4. Friction is independent of the area of contact for a given normal reaction.
5. The frictional force is directly proportional to the normal reaction.
F = μR
Where μ is the coefficient of friction and R is the normal reaction.
6. Kinetic friction is less than limiting friction and is independent of the
speed of sliding.
COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION
The coefficient of friction μ is the ratio of frictional force to the normal
reaction.
F
μ=R

ADVANTAGES OF FRICTION
1. Enables walking and running because of grip between feet and ground.
2. Allows writing on paper using pens or pencils.
3. Helps vehicles move due to friction between tyres and road.
4. Enables brakes to function and stop moving vehicles.
5. Allows nails, screws, and bolts to hold materials together.
6. Produces heat in matchsticks for ignition.
7. Allows objects to be held firmly by hand.
8. Essential in climbing, grasping, and construction work.
9. Provides traction for machines and engines.
10. Helps belts, pulleys, and machines transmit motion.
DISADVANTAGES OF FRICTION
1. Causes wear and tear of machinery and surfaces.
2. Converts useful energy to unwanted heat, reducing efficiency.
3. Increases fuel consumption in vehicles.
4. Reduces the speed of moving objects.
5. Produces noise in machines and mechanical systems.
6. Causes heating of engines, bearings, and gear systems.
7. Increases cost of maintenance due to lubrication and repairs.
8. Can cause deformation of materials over time.
9. Sometimes leads to accidental fires from frictional heating.
10. Opposes motion even when motion is desired.
METHODS OF REDUCING FRICTION
1. Lubrication
Applying oil or grease to reduce direct contact between surfaces.
2. Using Ball or Roller Bearings
Converts sliding friction into rolling friction which is smaller.
3. Polishing Surfaces
Makes surfaces smoother to reduce friction.
4. Streamlining
Gives objects smooth aerodynamic shapes to reduce fluid resistance.
5. Using Wheels
Reduces sliding friction and makes movement easier.
6. Powder Application
Substances like graphite in locks reduce friction.
7. Air Cushioning
Air layers reduce friction as seen in hovercrafts and air hockey tables.
8. Proper Maintenance
Cleaning and servicing machines reduces friction caused by dirt and
roughness.
PRACTICAL DEVICE WITH ONE LAYER SLIDING OVER ANOTHER
1. A sliding drawer system where the top layer (drawer) slides over the
base using rollers or smooth pads.
2. A friction board: a block sliding on different surfaces like glass, wood, or
sandpaper.
3. An inclined plane demonstrating how friction acts to resist motion.
4. A small carriage or trolley using ball bearings to show reduced friction.
WORKED EXAMPLES WITH SOLUTIONS
Example 1
A box weighs 50 N on a horizontal table. If the coefficient of friction is 0.2,
calculate the frictional force.
Solution
R = 50 N
F = μR = 0.2 × 50 = 10 N
Answer: 10 N

Example 2
A force of 150 N is needed to start moving a crate of mass 40 kg. Calculate
the coefficient of static friction. Take g = 10 m/s².
Solution
R = mg = 40 × 10 = 400 N
μs = 150 ÷ 400 = 0.375
Answer: 0.375
Example 3
A box of mass 20 kg slides on a floor with coefficient of kinetic friction 0.3.
Calculate the frictional force.
Solution
R = 20 × 10 = 200 N
Fk = 0.3 × 200 = 60 N
Answer: 60 N

Example 4
A 10 kg mass is on an inclined plane of 30 degrees. If μ = 0.25, calculate the
frictional force.
Solution
Weight = mg = 100 N
Normal reaction R = 100 × cos 30 = 86.6 N
F = μR = 0.25 × 86.6 = 21.65 N
Answer: approximately 21.7 N

Example 5
A student pushes a box 8 m across a floor with frictional force of 15 N.
Calculate the work done against friction.
Solution
W = F × d = 15 × 8 = 120 J
Answer: 120 J