CHAPTER - 12
FRICTION
1) Force of friction :Force of friction is the force which opposes the motion of an object
over a surface.
The force of friction acts between the object and the surface.
Eg :- A ball rolling on ground gradually slows down and comes to
rest due to force of friction between the ball and the ground.
If we stop pedalling a bicycle, it gradually slows down and
comes to a stop due to force of friction between the wheel and
the road.
2) Factors affecting friction :Friction depends upon two factors. They are :i) Nature of the surfaces in contact. ( The smoothness of the
surfaces).
ii) 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.
Friction is less if the surfaces are
not pressed harder.
3) 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.
4) Types of friction :There are three main types of friction. They are static friction, sliding
friction and rolling friction.
a) Static friction is the friction exerted on a object at rest. .
b) Sliding friction is the friction exerted when an object slides over a
surface.
c) Rolling friction is the friction exerted when an object rolls over a
surface.
Sliding friction is slightly less than static friction.
Rolling friction is less than sliding friction and static friction.
5) Friction is sometimes useful :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.
Friction between the tyres and the road helps automobiles to move
on roads.
Friction between the bricks helps in the construction of buildings.
6) Friction is sometimes undesirable :Soles of shoes wear out due to friction.
Tyres of bicycles and automobiles wear out due to friction.
Steps of staircases and foot over bridges in railway stations wear
out due to friction.
Knives and razors lose their sharp edges due to friction.
7) Increasing friction :Friction can be increased by increasing the roughness of the
surfaces in contact.
Eg :- The soles of shoes are grooved to have a better grip on the floor.
The tyres of vehicles are treaded to increase the grip on the road.
The break pads of vehicles are rough to stop moving vehicles when
the breaks are applied.
Gymnasts apply some coarse substance on their hands for a better
grip.
8) Reducing friction :Friction can be reduced by :I) Using lubricants like powders or oils and grease.
ii) Using rollers or wheels.
iii) 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.
Rollers are used in luggage bags to reduce friction.
Wheels are used in vehicles to reduce friction.
Ball bearings are used in ceiling fans, bicycles and vehicles to
reduce friction.
9) Fluid friction :Fluid friction is the force of friction exerted by liquids and gases on
objects moving through them.
Fluid friction depends upon :i) The speed of the object.
ii) Shape of the object.
iii) 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.
Aeroplanes and spacecrafts have streamlined body to reduce fluid
friction.