FRICTION

CLASS 8TH

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
RPS DHARUHERA
INTRODUCTION
If we slide or try to slide a body over a surface the motion is resisted by a bonding
between the body and the surface.

This resistance is represented by a single force and is called friction (F). The force of
friction is parallel to the surface and opposite to the direction of intended motion.
 Cause of friction

Old theory:
All bodies, when observed through a powerful microscope appear to be rough, i.e
they are found to have projections and depressions on the surface.
when one body is placed over the surface of another, their irregularities get
interlocked with each other.
Projections of one fit into the depressions of the other.
To start relative motion between them, we have to overcome these interlocking.
This opposition to the motion of one surface over the other is called friction.
Lesser the irregularities, lesser should be the force required.

But , In case of very smooth bodies, the friction is again found to increase. This,
however, could not be explained according to this theory, which ultimately had to
be discarded.
 Cause of friction

New theory:
When two rough bodies touch each other, the actual area of contact is much
smaller than the apparent area of contact.
The bodies appear to be welded to each other at the point of contact due to the
molecular forces.
As a body is pulled over the other, some force has to be applied to overcome this
welding effect. If we put a load over the upper body, its points of contact with
second body get crushed and thereby increasing the actual area of contact.

Force of friction depend upon the actual area of contact. The force of friction in this
case will increase.
Very smooth bodies have very large area of contact. This is the cause of increase of
friction in case of extremely smooth bodies.
The force of friction is found to depends upon following factors:
(i) The nature of 2 surfaces in contact with each other.
(ii) Normal force with the surfaces are being pressed together.
(iii) Actual area of contact.
The force of friction is found to depends upon following factors:
(i) The nature of 2 surfaces in contact with each other.
(ii) Normal force with the surfaces are being pressed together.
(iii) Actual area of contact.
 Types of Friction.
1. Static friction:
The opposing force that comes into play when one body tends to move over the
surface of another, but the actual motion has yet not started is called static friction.

If applied force is P and the body remains at rest then static friction F = P.

If a body is at rest and no pulling force is acting on it, force of friction on it is zero.

Static friction is a self-adjusting force because it changes itself in accordance with the
applied force.
 Types of Friction.
1. Static friction:
The opposing force that comes into play when one body tends to move over the
surface of another, but the actual motion has yet not started is called static friction.

Limiting friction:
If the applied force is increased the force of static friction also increases.

If the applied force exceeds a certain (maximum) value, the body starts moving.

This maximum value of static friction upto which body does not move is called
limiting friction.
*The magnitude of limiting friction between any two bodies in contact is directly
proportional to the normal reaction between them. (Very important)

𝐹𝑙 ∝ 𝑅 or 𝐹𝑙 = 𝜇𝑠𝑅 (R = N , both are same)

 Types of Friction.

*Direction of the force of limiting friction is always opposite to the direction in which
one body is at the verge of moving over the other.

*The magnitude of the limiting friction between two surfaces is independent of the area
and shape of the surface in contact, so long as the normal reaction remains the same.

𝜇𝑠 is called coefficient of static friction and defined as the ratio of force of limiting friction
and normal reaction 𝜇𝑠 = 𝐹 /R

𝜇𝑠 , coefficient of static friction has no unit.

𝜇𝑠 Value lies in between 0 and 1 .

Value of 𝜇 depends on material and nature of surfaces in contact that means whether dry
or wet ; rough or smooth polished or non-polished.

Value of 𝜇 does not depend upon apparent area of contact.

 Questions on limiting force
Example 1 :
Find the normal force applied on a body having a coefficient of friction of 5 and
limiting friction is 50 N.
Sol.
 Questions on limiting force
Example 2 :
What is the difference between static friction and limiting friction?
Sol.
Static friction is a self-adjusting force because it comes into play when the body is lying
over the surface of another body without any motion. When that body overcomes the
force of static friction, the maximum value of static friction is reached, which is known
as limiting friction.
Example 3 :
Find the minimum force required to move a 5 kg box if the coefficient of friction is
0.2.
Sol.

Minimum force is nothing but the value of friction force due to frictional surface
because if we apply force more than friction force then box can be move.
N = m×g
N = 5kg × 10m/s2 = 50 N
F=μ×N
F = 0.2 × 50 = 10 N
So, we require minimum 10N to move the box.
 Questions on limiting force
Example 4 :
If the minimum force required to move a table is 100 N then find the weight of the
table when μ = 5.
Sol.
 Questions on limiting force
Example 5 :
A body of mass 1 kg is kept on a rough surface having coefficient of friction = 0.25 being
pulled by a force of 2N, what will be the value of friction force in N?
Sol.
Given : Mass = 1 kg
μ = 0.25
Applied force = 2N
Now, we know
Limiting friction force, Fl = μ × N
Now ,
N=m×g
N = 1kg × 10m/s2 = 10 N
Fl = μ × N
Fl = 0.25 × 10 = 2.5 N
So, as per concept:
1. If Applied Force < Limiting friction force , then Applied force is equal to friction force,
because static friction is self adjusting force. Object will not move in this case.

2. If Applied Force > Limiting friction force , Object will move.

 Questions on limiting force
Example 5 :
A body of mass 1 kg is kept on a rough surface having coefficient of friction = 0.25 being
pulled by a force of 2N, what will be the value of friction force in N?
Sol.
Given : Mass = 1 kg
μ = 0.25
Applied force = 2N
Now, we know
Limiting friction force, Fl = μ × N
Now ,
N=m×g
N = 1kg × 10m/s2 = 10 N
Fl = μ × N
Fl = 0.25 × 10 = 2.5 N
So, as per concept:
1. If Applied Force < Limiting friction force , then Applied force is equal to friction force,
because static friction is self adjusting force. Object will not move in this case.

2. If Applied Force > Limiting friction force , Object will move.

 Types of Friction.
2. Kinetic or dynamic friction:
If the applied force is increased further and sets the body in motion, the friction
opposing the motion is called kinetic friction.
Kinetic friction depends upon the normal reaction. 𝐹𝑘 ∝ 𝑅 or 𝐹𝑘 = 𝜇𝑘𝑅,
where 𝜇𝑘 is called the coefficient of kinetic friction
Value of 𝜇𝑘 depends upon the nature of surface in contact.

Kinetic friction is always lesser than limiting friction 𝐹𝑘 < 𝐹𝑙

=> 𝜇𝑘 < 𝜇𝑠 i.e. coefficient of kinetic friction is always less than coefficient of static friction.

Thus, we require more force to start a motion than to maintain it against friction.

This is because once the motion starts actually; inertia of rest has been overcome. Also,
when motion has actually started, irregularities of one surface have little time to get
locked again into the irregularities of the other surface.
Types of Friction.
Types of Kinetic or dynamic friction:
(a) Sliding friction:
The opposing force that comes into play when one body is actually sliding over the
surface of the other body is called sliding friction. e.g. A flat block is moving over a
horizontal table.
Types of Friction.
Types of Kinetic or dynamic friction:
(b) Rolling friction:
When objects such as a wheel (disc or ring), sphere or a cylinder roll over a surface,
the force of friction comes into play is called rolling friction.
Types of Friction.
Types of Kinetic or dynamic friction:
(b) Rolling friction:
When objects such as a wheel (disc or ring), sphere or a cylinder roll over a surface,
the force of friction comes into play is called rolling friction.
 Types of Friction.
Types of Kinetic or dynamic friction:
(b) Rolling friction:

Rolling friction is directly proportional to the normal reaction (R) and inversely
proportional to the radius (r) of the rolling cylinder or wheel.

𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 𝜇𝑟
𝜇𝑟 is called coefficient of rolling friction. It would have the dimensions of length and
would be measured in metre.

Rolling friction is often quite small as compared to the sliding friction. That is why heavy
loads are transported by placing them on carts with wheels.
In rolling the surfaces at contact do not rub each other.

The velocity of point of contact with respect to the surface remains zero all the times
although the center of the wheel moves forward.
Graph Between Applied Force and Force of Friction.
Graph Between Applied Force and Force of Friction.
Graph Between Applied Force and Force of Friction.
Graph Between Applied Force and Force of Friction.
 Questions on limiting force
Example 1 :
A body of mass 1 kg is kept on a rough surface having coefficient of friction = 0.25 being
pulled by a force of 2N, which frictional force will be acting on the body?
a) Limiting friction
b) Static friction
c) Kinetic friction
d) Rolling friction
Sol. b) Static Fricition
Given : Mass = 1 kg , μ = 0.25 , Applied force = 2N
Now, we know
Limiting friction force, Fl = μ × N
Now ,
N=m×g
N = 1kg × 10m/s2 = 10 N
Fl = μ × N
Fl = 0.25 × 10 = 2.5 N
So, as per concept:
1. If Applied Force < Limiting friction force , then Applied force is equal to friction force,
because static friction is self adjusting force. Object will not move in this case.

2. If Applied Force > Limiting friction force , Object will move.

 Questions on limiting force
Example 1 :
A body of mass 1 kg is kept on a rough surface having coefficient of friction = 0.25 being
pulled by a force of 2N, which frictional force will be acting on the body?
a) Limiting friction
b) Static friction
c) Kinetic friction
d) Rolling friction
Sol. b) Static Fricition
Given : Mass = 1 kg , μ = 0.25 , Applied force = 2N
Now, we know
Limiting friction force, Fl = μ × N
Now ,
N=m×g
N = 1kg × 10m/s2 = 10 N
Fl = μ × N
Fl = 0.25 × 10 = 2.5 N
So, as per concept:
1. If Applied Force < Limiting friction force , then Applied force is equal to friction force,
because static friction is self adjusting force. Object will not move in this case.

2. If Applied Force > Limiting friction force , Object will move.

 Friction is a Cause of Motion.

It is a general misconception that friction always opposes the motion. No doubt friction
opposes the motion of a moving body but in many cases, it is also the cause of motion.
For example:
• In moving, a person or vehicle pushes the ground backwards (action) and the rough
surface of ground reacts and exerts a forward force due to friction which causes the
motion.
• If there had been no friction there will be slipping and no motion.
• If a body is placed in a vehicle which is accelerating, the force of friction is the cause of
motion of the body along with the vehicle.
If there had been no friction between body and vehicle the body will not move along
with the vehicle.
(i.e., the body will remain at rest in the accelerating vehicle until 𝑚𝑎 < 𝜇𝑠𝑚𝑔).
 Friction is a Cause of Motion.

• In cycling, the rear wheel moves by the force communicated to it by pedaling while
front wheel moves by itself. So, when pedaling a bicycle, the force exerted by rear wheel
on ground makes force of friction act on it in the forward direction (like walking). Front
wheel moving by itself experience force of friction in backward direction (like rolling of a
ball).

However, if pedaling is stopped both wheels move by themselves and so experience

force of friction in backward direction.
 Advantages and Disadvantages of Friction.

• Advantages of friction
(i) Walking is possible due to friction.
(ii) Two body sticks together due to friction.
(iii) Brake works on the basis of friction.
(iv) Writing is not possible without friction.
(v) The transfer of motion from one part of a machine to other part through belts is
possible by friction.

• Disadvantages of friction
(i) Friction always opposes the relative motion between any two bodies in contact.
Therefore, extra energy has to be spent in overcoming friction. This reduces the
efficiency of machine.
(ii) Friction causes wear and tear of the parts of machinery in contact. Thus their
lifetime reduces.
(iii) Frictional force result in the production of heat, which causes damage to the
machinery.
 Methods of Changing Friction.

We can reduce friction

(1) By polishing.
(2) By lubrication.
(3) By proper selection of material.
(4) By streamlining the shape of the body.
(5) By using ball bearing.

we can increase friction by throwing some sand on slippery ground.

 Fluid Friction

Fluid friction occurs between fluid layers that are moving relative to each other. This
internal resistance to flow is named viscosity or viscous drag or fluid friction

A resistance force exerted on a moving object by the fluid is called Viscous drag.

In normal terms, the viscosity of a fluid is described as its “thickness” of the fluid. Thus,
water is “thin”, having a lower viscosity, while honey is “thick”, having a higher viscosity.
The less viscous the fluid, the greater its ease of deformation or movement.

Liquids and gases are called fluids because they can be made to flow or move.

The following are the two types of forces between the molecules:

1. Cohesive forces:
Cohesive forces are attractive forces that exist between molecules of the same substance.
So, cohesive forces are the main cause of viscosity.

2. Adhesive forces:
These are attractive forces between unlike molecules.
 Fluid Friction

An object travels in a fluid it loses its energy in order to overcome the fluid Friction. The
shape of an object plays an important role in increasing or decreasing the fluid friction
when it travels along with it.

• Ships and boats have a particular shape that allows them to resist fluid Friction.

• Birds and airplanes have a specific shape that allows them to fly in the air.
• Fishes also have a specific shape such as a tail and fins that allow them to swim
continuously in water and even prevent the loss of energy due to fluid Friction.
• The designs of vehicles are made in such a way so that they encounter the least fluid
friction while travelling to ensure proper usage and movement of them.
• In order to avoid fluid friction the swimsuits are designed accordingly for a smoother
flow.
 Fluid Friction

Laws Of Fluid Friction

• First law: The fluid friction increases with an increase in the area of contact between
the surface and the fluid.
• Second law: The fluid friction increases with an increase in the velocity gradient of the
substance.
• Third law: The fluid having a higher coefficient of fluid friction or eta (η) has a higher
value of fluid frictional force.
• The formula for the fluid friction

Δ 𝑣
𝐹 =𝜂 𝐴
Δ 𝑦
The difference of speed between the layers = ∆ν
The spacing of the plates = ∆y
Area = Α
Coefficient of fluid friction or eta (η)
 Fluid Friction
• The formula for the fluid friction
Δ 𝑣
𝐹 =𝜂 𝐴
Δ 𝑦
velocity gradient :
Velocity gradient is defined as "change in velocity per unit distance"

• Velocity gradient =
 Fluid Friction

Factors Affecting Fluid Friction

• 1. Nature of fluid

• 2. The viscosity of fluid

• 3. The shape of the body

• 4. The temperature
The fluid friction of all gases increases with an increase in temperature since the fluid
friction of a gas is directly proportional to the square root of the absolute temperature.

• 5. The surface area of the body

The more the surface of the body more is the fluid friction.

• 6. Speed of the body

On increasing the speed the fluid friction or drag also increases proportionally.

• 7. The pressure on the body

The fluid friction increases proportionally with the increase in the pressure on the body.
 Fluid Friction

Factors Affecting Fluid Friction

• 1. Nature of fluid

• 2. The viscosity of fluid

• 3. The shape of the body

• 4. The temperature
The fluid friction of all gases increases with an increase in temperature since the fluid
friction of a gas is directly proportional to the square root of the absolute temperature.

• 5. The surface area of the body

The more the surface of the body more is the fluid friction.

• 6. Speed of the body

On increasing the speed the fluid friction or drag also increases proportionally.
 More analysis on Balanced and Unbalanced force
Example 1 :
What is the velocity gradient if frictional force is given to be 6N and eta is given as 0.25
and the area of cross-section is 100m2.
Sol.
 More analysis on Balanced and Unbalanced force
Example 2 :
Determine the coefficient of fluid friction if F is given 3N and the area of cross section
is given 10m2 also the velocity gradient given is 0.3/s.
Sol.