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Friction Notes

Friction is the opposing force that acts when two surfaces contact each other and one tries to move over the other. There are different types of friction including static, kinetic, and rolling friction. The document also discusses the laws of friction, reasons friction exists, and ways to reduce friction such as lubrication, polishing surfaces, selecting proper materials, streamlining shapes, and using ball bearings.

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Dhruv Chaudhary
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96 views

Friction Notes

Friction is the opposing force that acts when two surfaces contact each other and one tries to move over the other. There are different types of friction including static, kinetic, and rolling friction. The document also discusses the laws of friction, reasons friction exists, and ways to reduce friction such as lubrication, polishing surfaces, selecting proper materials, streamlining shapes, and using ball bearings.

Uploaded by

Dhruv Chaudhary
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Friction, limiting and kinetic friction, laws of friction,

rolling friction and ways to reduce friction


1) Friction: Let us recall our experience of pushing furniture at our home. We know that
when we try to push any cupboard or table a great force is required. It feels like an
invisible force is working against us. That opposing force is known as force of friction.
Heavier the object greater the frictional force.
2) Static & Limiting friction: when we apply force to move an object, then just before
making it in motion the resistance offered by the object is maximum. All the force we
apply before object is in motion is balanced by the opposing frictional force which is
equal to the applied force that is known as static friction “Fs”. While the maximum
resistance offered by object when it is just on the verge of moving is known as limiting
friction “FL”.
3) Kinetic friction: when one object is actually sliding over the other object or surfaces the
opposing force acting on it is known as kinetic friction. It is represented by “Fk”.
4) Laws of limiting friction: The four laws of friction are as follows
I. Force of friction is directly proportional to the normal reaction.
F=µR
Where µ is known as coefficient of friction, and R is the normal reaction.
So if we increase the weight of object in turn the normal reaction will increase
and the frictional force will increase.
II. The direction of the force of limiting friction is always opposite to the direction in
which one body is at verge of moving over the other.
III. The force of limiting friction is independent of the apparent area of contact, as
long as normal reaction between two surfaces remains same.
IV. The force of limiting friction between any two surfaces in contact depends on
the nature of material of the surface in contact and their state of polish.
5) Rolling friction: When an object rolls across a surface, rolling friction occurs.
Rolling friction is easier to overcome than sliding friction for similar materials.
This type of friction is important to engineers who design certain products.
For example, skates, skateboards, and bicycles need wheels that move freely.
Microscopic view of a surface which
appears to be smooth to naked eye.

6) Reasons for existence of friction

The surface which appears smooth to us might not be as smooth as we think. Above is a
photograph showing the microscopic view of a surface which appears smooth to human eye.
These irregularities of surfaces when get locked in to each other cause friction. Any how this is
known as classical view of friction.

It clearly explains the reason for friction.

How ever in modern view, Friction is present due to interatomic interactions between the
atoms and molecules of the two surfaces in contact.

7) Ways of reducing friction:


I. Sliding friction can be reduced by converting it in to rolling friction by the use of
wheels. That is why all the auto mobiles have wheels.
II. Sliding friction can be reduced by use of lubrications. Lubrications are generally
oily liquids which makes a thin film between the objects which are in motion and
minimize the friction.
III. By polishing the surfaces up to an extent can reduce friction considerably.
IV. By selection of proper material. For example choosing steel for rolling friction
further reduces coefficient of rolling friction.
V. By streamlining the shape of vehicles we can reduce the air resistance. e.g. jets
and bullet trains are provided with streamlined shape.
VI. By the use of ball bearings sliding friction can be converted in rolling friction and
can be reduced significantly.
Worksheet

1. What do you mean by static friction? Explain how it is self adjusting force?
2. What is the difference between old and modern view of reason for existence of
friction.
3. Friction causes wear and tear of machinery and tires. Yet friction is necessary for
our daily life. Give four examples where friction is must for daily activities.
4. Why sliding friction is more than the rolling friction? Explain.
5. Explain four laws of Limiting friction.
6. Discuss five methods to reduce friction.

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