When to two objects of similar or different material type slide across each other, a

resisting force called the force of friction will occur. The force of friction can be
computed by multiplying the normal force acting on an object by the coefficient of
friction. The normal force is a force acting on an object perpendicular to the surface the
object is sliding on. For the sake of this discussion, we will assume that the two objects
will not be placed on an incline and the normal force will be equivalent to the weight of
an object. The coefficient of friction can be determined by considering a horizontal force
applied on an object, which will cause the object to move at a constant speed or
velocity, and the weight (normal force) of the object. By dividing the magnitude of the
applied horizontal force by the weight (mass * gravity) of the object, you will be able to
calculate the coefficient of friction. The material type of the object being displaced and
the material type of the surface or second object, will also have an immediate impact on
the amount of frictional force that would need to be overcome by the applied force to
cause the object to move. With that being said, the coefficient of friction will also be
affected. For example a smooth plastic block sliding on a smooth plastic surface will
have a fairly low coefficient of friction, since both surfaces are smooth and the amount
of horizontal force caused to overcome the friction barrier will be less than sliding a
similar block across a roughened surface or a surface made of course materials. An
example of a high coefficient of friction will be sliding a concrete block on a smooth
plastic surface. Since concrete has a rougher texture than plastic, the concrete block
will require more force to move.
Sourse:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/frict.html
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It is possible for the normal force to be both greater than and less than the
weight of an object. In essence, the magnitude of normal force acting on an
object is equivalent to the weight of an object when the object is at resting
on a level surface. However, in this case, the direction of the normal force is
opposite to the direction of weight. If the normal force acting on an object is
equal to the weight of an object, how can the normal force be greater than
the objects weight? The answer is simple. Since the normal force acts as a
counter reacting force on an object, causing the object to be in equilibrium,
any additional downward force acting on the object will cause the normal
force to increase. Thus the normal force of an object with an applied
downward force will be equal to the weight of the object plus the applied
force, resulting in the normal force being greater than the objects weight.
The normal force acting on an object can also be less than the weight of an
object when an external upward force acts on an object. In this case the
normal force will be equal to the weight of an object minus the applied
upwards force. The Normal force can also be less than the objects weight
when the object is placed on an inclined angle. Since the normal force acts

perpendicular to the surface, the normal force will be a component of the

force of gravity acting on the object or the objects weight. For inclined
conditions, the normal force is equal to the weight of the object multiplied by
the cosine of the angle of the incline.
Sourse:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/frict.html