Science 6 Quarter 3
Friction
FRICTION
• A frictional force arises when two substances contact
each other.
• Friction is a resistant force that resists the motion of
objects or surfaces.
▪ Friction always works in the direction opposite from
the direction the object is moving or trying to move.
It always slows a moving object down.
P
Moving
Friction
NM Spirit
FRICTION
FRICTION
▪ Friction depends on both of the surfaces in contact.
▪ When the hockey puck slides on ice, a thin layer of water
between the rubber and the ice allows the puck to slide
easily.
NM Spirit
IDENTIFYING FRICTION FORCES
▪ Friction is a force, measured in newtons just like any
other force.
▪ Static friction keeps an object at rest from moving.
▪ Sliding friction is a force that resists the motion of
an object moving across a surface.
▪ Rolling friction is the friction exerted when an
object rolls over a surface.
Static friction Sliding friction Rolling friction
NM Spirit
FACTORS AFFECTING FRICTION
▪ Friction depends on a material’s properties such as
roughness, how clean the surfaces are, and other factors.
▪ Friction depends upon two factors.
▪ Nature of the surfaces in contact. ( The smoothness of the
surfaces).
▪ How hard the surfaces press together.
Friction is less on a smooth surface.
Friction is more on a rough surface
Friction is more if the surfaces are
pressed harder (heavier objects presses harder)
Friction is less if the surfaces are
not pressed harder.
CAUSE OF FRICTION
▪ Friction is caused due to the interlocking of irregularities
between the two surfaces in contact.
▪ Smooth surfaces have minute irregularities between the two
surfaces.
▪ Rough surfaces have larger irregularities between the two
surfaces.
▪ So force of friction is more if the surfaces are rough.
Reducing the force of friction
▪ Unless a force is constantly applied, friction will slow all
motion to a stop eventually.
▪ It is impossible to completely get rid of friction, but it can
be reduced.
▪ The friction between a shaft (the long pole in the picture) and an
outer part of a machine produces a lot of heat.
▪ Friction can be reduced by placing ball bearings between the
shaft and the outer part.
Rolling
balls
Forces from sliding
friction are relatively
Forces from rolling
large
friction are much
smaller
Reducing friction
Friction can be reduced by :-
– Using lubricants like powders or oils and grease.
– Using rollers or wheels.
– Using ball bearings.
▪ We sprinkle powder on a carrom board to reduce friction.
▪ Oil or grease is applied between moving parts of machines to reduce
friction.
▪ Wheels are used in vehicles to reduce friction.
▪ Ball bearings are used in ceiling fans, bicycles and vehicles to reduce
friction.
Useful friction
▪ Friction is useful for many of our
daily activities.
▪ It is possible to hold a tumbler
due to friction between the
hand and the tumbler.
▪ Friction between the feet and
ground helps us to walk on the
ground.
▪ It is possible to write with a
pen or pencil on a paper due
to friction between the pen or
pencil and the paper.
▪ It is possible to write on a
blackboard due to the friction
between the chalk and black
board.
▪ When lighting a match
Useful friction
• Friction is also important to anyone
driving a car.
• Grooved tire treads allow space for
water to be channeled away from the
road-tire contact point, allowing for
more friction in wet conditions.
• Shoes are designed to increase the
friction between their soles and the
ground.
• We use friction whenever we exert
brakes to stop a moving vehicle,
such as our bicycles!
Friction and energy
▪ Friction is always present in any
machine with moving parts.
▪ If the machine is small, or the forces are
low, the amount of heat produced by
friction may also be small.
▪ Each time two moving surfaces touch
each other; tiny bits of material are
broken off by friction.
▪ Breaking off bits of material uses energy.
FLUID FRICTION
▪ Fluid friction is the force of friction exerted by liquids
and gases on objects moving through them.
▪ Fluid friction depends upon :-
– The speed of the object.
– Shape of the object.
– The nature of the fluid.
▪ Birds flying in air have streamlined body to reduce
fluid friction.
▪ Fishes living in water have streamlined body to
reduce fluid friction.
FLUID
FRICTION
• Streamlining can
minimize fluid
friction. It is a
process of shaping
an object’s body,
including vehicles
such as airplanes
and cars, to
minimize resistance
to liquid flow.
