FRICTION
Friction is the resistance to motion of one object moving relative to another.
Types of Friction
If a force P is applied to a block resting on a plane surface as shown in fig. 1 below. There would
be resistive force acting in the opposite direction opposing the applied force P preventing the
block from sliding. The more the force P increases the more the resistive force increases. This
resistive force is called the frictional force. When the force P increases up to a certain value
such that the block is just about to slide. The friction force existing then is called the static or
limiting frictional force Fs.
When the block is now moving with a constant velocity, frictional force still exist and this is
called the kinetic or dynamic frictional force Fk. It has been found that Fk is less than Fs.
R
Fs P
W = mg
Fig. 1 Friction
Laws of friction
In fig.1 A block rest on a rough platform. The weight of the block is W which is mass times
gravity, mg. The block exerts an upward force in the opposite direction called the reaction. If
more weight is added to the block the reaction increases. It has been found that the force F
required to pull the block is directly proportional to the reaction R.
𝐹 = 𝜇𝑅 ------------------- (1)
Where µ is a constant of proportionality called the coefficient of static friction. This frictional
force does not depend on the area of the surfaces in contact or the speed in which the surfaces
slide over one another. The following is a summary of the laws of friction.
(i) Friction opposes motion
(ii) It is independent of the area of the surfaces in contact
(iii) It depends on the nature of the surfaces
(iv) It is independent of the relative velocity between the surfaces
(v) Frictional force F is proportional to the normal reaction R.
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Coefficient of Friction and angle of friction
One way to determine the coefficient of friction between two surfaces is to place an object on a
plane and gradually lift one end of the plane until the object just begins to slide as shown in fig. 2.
The angle which the plane makes with the floor is noted.
R F
W
Fig. 2 Determination of the coefficient of friction
Resolving along the plane we have
𝐹 = 𝑊 sin 𝜃 ------------------- (2)
Resolving perpendicular to the plane we have
𝑅 = 𝑊 cos 𝜃 ------------------- (3)
Substituting into equation (1) we have
𝐹 𝑊 sin 𝜃
𝜇= = = tan 𝜃
𝑅 𝑊 cos 𝜃
𝜇 = tan 𝜃 ------------------- (4)
Where θ is called the angle of friction and µ is the coefficient of static friction.
Worked Examples
Example 1
A wooden block of mass 2.5kg rest on a rough horizontal surface. If the limiting frictional force
between the surface is 12N. Calculate the coefficient of friction (g = 10m/s 2)
Solution
Frictional force, F = 12N, normal reaction, R = mg = 2.5 X 10 = 16N
Coefficient of friction,
𝜇 = 𝐹/𝑅 = 12/16 = 0.75
Example 2
Calculate the magnitude of the force required to just move a 15kg object on a horizontal surface
if the coefficient of friction is 0.25.
Solution
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Coefficient of friction, µ = 0.25, normal reaction, R = W = mg = 15 X 10 = 150N
From µ = F/R. frictional force, F = µR = 0.25X150 = 37.5N
Example 3
If an object just begins to slide on a surface inclined at an angle of 50 0 to the horizontal, what is
the coefficient of friction?
Solution
The coefficient of friction for an inclined plane is the tangent of the angle of inclination.
Therefore, coefficient of friction = tan500 = 1.19
Example 4
A body of mass 25kg, moving at 3m/s on a rough horizontal floor is brought to rest after sliding
through a distance of 2.5m on the floor. Calculate the coefficient of sliding friction.
Solution
The acceleration (i.e. deceleration) is first calculated.
Initial velocity, u = 3m/s, final velocity, v = 0, distance, s = 2.5m
Substituting into v2 = u2 + 2as
02 = 32 + 2xax2.5
0 = 9 + 5a
a = -9/s = -1.8ms-2 i.e. deceleration is 1.8ms-2
Frictional force, F = ma, where m is mass in kg and a is acceleration or deceleration in ms-2
F = ma = 25x1.8 = 45N
Advantages of friction
Friction plays a vital role in our daily life. Without friction we are handicap.
i. It enables us to walk, but if the road is slippery it is becomes difficult to walk due to low
friction.
ii. We cannot fix nail in the wood or wall if there is no friction. It is friction which holds the
nail.
iii. Cars cannot be driven on roads if there was no friction.
Disadvantages of friction
Despite the fact that the friction is very important in our daily life, it also has some
disadvantages like:
i. The main disadvantage of friction is that it produces heat in various parts of
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machines. In this way some useful energy is wasted as heat energy.
ii. Due to friction we have to exert more power in machines.
iii. It opposes the motion.
iv. Due to friction, noise is also produced in machines.
v. Due to friction, engines of automobiles consume more fuel which is a money loss.
Methods of reducing friction
There are a number of methods to reduce friction some of which are.
a. Use of Lubricants: The parts of machines which are moving over one another must be properly
lubricated by using oils and lubricants of suitable viscosity.
b. Use of grease: Proper greasing between the sliding parts of machine reduces the
friction.
c. Use of ball bearings: In machines where possible, sliding friction can be replaced by
rolling friction by using ball bearings.
d. Design Modification: Friction can be reduced by changing the design of fast moving
objects. The front of vehicles and airplanes made oblong to minimize friction.
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