What is Frictional Force?
Friction is the force that resists motion when the surface of one object comes in contact with the surface of another. The mechanical advantage of a machine is reduced by friction, or in other words, the ratio of output to input is reduced because of friction.
An automobile uses one-quarter of its energy on limiting friction. Yet, it is also friction in the tires that allows the car to stay on the road and friction in the clutch that makes it possible to drive.
From matches to machines to molecular structures, friction is one of the most significant phenomena in the physical world. In this article, let us discuss frictional force and its different types.
Frictional force is the force generated by two surfaces that contact and slide against each other.
A few factors affecting the frictional force:
- These forces are mainly affected by the surface texture and the amount of force impelling them together.
- The angle and position of the object affect the amount of frictional force.
- If an object is placed flat against an object, then the frictional force will be equal to the object’s weight.
- If an object is pushed against the surface, then the frictional force will be increased and becomes more than the weight of the object.
Example of Friction in our daily life
1. Walking
When we walk on the ground or the floor, it is the frictional force that is responsible for holding our feet to the ground. On slippery surfaces or ice, the friction present is less, which is why we tend to slip on these surfaces.
2. Writing
While writing, the tip of the pen is in contact with the paper surface which produces rolling friction in the case of a ballpoint pen or sliding friction in the case of a pencil.
3. Skating
During skating, the skate blade rubs against the surface of the ice which generates heat. This causes the ice to melt which in turn reduces the friction between the blade and the ice surface, and hence skating is possible.
4. Lighting a matchstick
A matchstick lightens when its tip is rubbed against a rough surface that imparts high friction. This generates heat that is responsible for converting the red phosphorous into white phosphorous and the matchstick lightens up.
5. Driving of the vehicle on a surface
When a vehicle is being driven, a force is generated on the wheel by the engine, which makes the vehicle move in the forward direction. There is a presence of friction between the wheels and the road that opposes the forward motion of the vehicle. Hence, the vehicle avoids skidding.
6. Applications of breaks in the vehicle to stop it
When the brakes are applied, a strong frictional force is applied to the wheels of the vehicle. This results in the generation of a large amount of heat occur due to the conversion of the kinetic energy of the moving vehicle into heat. Hence, the vehicle stops moving.
7. Flight of airplanes
Similar to vehicles moving on the road, any object moving forward in the air or any fluid experiences a drag force, which opposes the forward motion of the object in the fluid. This force is caused due to the impact of air on the object and the displacement of air as the object moves forward.
8. Drilling a nail into the wall
When a nail is driven into a wall, the materials nearby gets compressed. This imparts a force on the nail. This normal force that is exerted due to the compressed layers of the wall is converted into the sheer force that is resistive in nature. this force is the frictional force acting on the nail.
9. The dusting of the carpet by beating it with a stick
The carpet exhibits a little static friction that holds the dust to the carpet. When we beat a carpet with a stick, the external force exerted by the stick makes the carpet overcome the friction which causes it to move away from the dust. The dust falls on the floor or carried away by the wind which makes the carpet dust-free.
10. Sliding on a garden slide
When we slide, the back of a person rubs against the surface of the garden which causes friction to be present. If this friction was not there, the person would slide away with increased acceleration, resulting in an injury or accident.
11. Rubbing Hands
Rubbing hands is an example of sliding friction. When the hands are rubbed against each other, a force opposing this motion of the hands comes into action. The force resisting the motion is applied in the direction opposite to the direction of motion of the hands is called the frictional force and is responsible to generate heat energy.
12. Climbing a Rock
When a climber tends to move on the rock a force is felt in the opposite direction that tries to resist the motion. This force is known as the force of friction. Rock climbing makes use of a force of friction to establish a proper grip between the feet/hand of the climber and the surface of the rock. It helps the climber to climb the rock and prevent his/her hands and feet from slipping.
13. Sliding a Sled
A sled sliding over an icy surface is yet another example of kinetic friction. The ice deposited over the ground surface or the land decreases the force of friction between the object and the surface. This lack of friction causes the objects present on the surface to slip and slide easily. This is the reason why people living in such regions wear boots with nails attached to the base. The nails provide a better grip and help the person to walk without slipping.
14. Dragging a Chair
When a small amount of force is applied to a bulky chair, it does not move. This definitely means that a force is being applied from the opposite direction that has a greater magnitude than the external force applied in order to move it. This is known as the force of friction. In order to move the chair, a person has to apply a force that has a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the frictional force.
15. Carrom Board
The striker is susceptible to face a force of friction when it is made to slide over the surface of a carrom board. This force of friction slows down the speed of the striker and sometimes resists its motion. Usually, dusting powder is used to reduce the frictional force and cause the striker to move smoothly.
16. Braking System
A moving vehicle is made to stop by applying a force from the opposite direction that resists the motion. The braking system usually consists of brake pads and rims. Sliding friction existing between the two components helps to slow down the speed of the rolling wheels of the vehicle and cause it to stop. In the absence of friction, an object tends to move continuously with a constant speed.
17. Slippery Floor
While stepping on a slippery or wet floor, it becomes highly difficult to maintain balance. This is because water present on the floor reduces the frictional coefficient. In the absence of the frictional force, an improper grip is formed between the feet and the floor. It may lead to accidents.
18. Rolling Ball Stops Eventually
When an external force is applied to a ball, it comes into motion. The motion-induced in the ball causes it to roll and advance forward. However, after some time, the speed of the ball decreases, and it eventually comes to rest. This change in speed occurs due to the resistance provided by the force of friction, which acts on the ball from the direction opposite to the direction of motion