Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
Page 1 of 7
Search Site
List of Topics
Lesson
Mini-Quiz
Feedback Comments
SfC Home > Physical Science > Physics > Friction >
2.3K
Key words: Standard Friction Equation, Physics, Physical Science, resistive force, static, kinetic, normal, coefficient, mu,
zero, infinity, area, molecular attraction, cosine, incline, experiment, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright
Restrictions
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/friction_equation.htm
2016/07/31
Standard Friction Equation by Ron Kurtus - Succeed in Understanding Physics: Schoo... Page 2 of 7
Normal force
The normal force is the force pushing the two objects together, perpendicular to their surfaces.
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/friction_equation.htm
2016/07/31
Standard Friction Equation by Ron Kurtus - Succeed in Understanding Physics: Schoo... Page 3 of 7
Weight on incline
If the weight is on an incline, the normal force will be reduced by the cosine of the incline angle.
The equation is
N = Wcos(a)
where:
Coefficient of friction
The coefficient of friction, (mu), is a number related to the two specific surfaces that are in
contact with each other. It is very dependent on the roughness of each surface and how the
materials slide against each other.
Established by experiment
Although there are charts listing average values of the coefficient of friction for various materials,
the only true way to establish the number is by experiment and testing or empirical measurements.
Also, there are no good formulae or equations to predict .
By dividing both sides of the standard friction equation Fr = N by N, you will get the equation =
Fr/N, where Fr/N is Frdivided by N.
This relationship indicates that if you can measure the friction force Fr and know the normal force N
pushing the two objects together, you can determine the coefficient of friction .
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/friction_equation.htm
2016/07/31
Standard Friction Equation by Ron Kurtus - Succeed in Understanding Physics: Schoo... Page 4 of 7
When = 0, there is no friction. If is close to 0, there is little friction. For example, leather-soled
shoes on slippery ice has a very small coefficient of friction, close to zero. That is why you can
easily slide on ice or even take a fall. Even rubber-soled shoes on ice has a very small coefficient of
friction.
Close to infinity
Many students and teachers mistakenly think that must be less than 1. That is incorrect, since Fr
could be many times the normal force.
One extreme example is if you glued an object to another. The resistance to moving the objects
would be very large and the coefficient of friction would also be very large. If the glue was so
strong that they could never be slid against each other, then would equal infinity.
The reason people think that must be less than 1 is probably since most listing of coefficients of
friction have values less than 1. That is because most materials of interest usually slide relatively
easy on each other.
Examples of coefficient
The following table shows the coefficient of sliding friction for a number of materials. Note that the
static coefficient is larger than the kinetic coefficient.
(See Coefficient of Friction Values for an extensive list of coefficients.)
Coefficient of Friction
Surfaces
Static Friction
Kinetic Friction
0.6
0.4
0.1
0.05
0.041
0.04
0.4
0.3
0.9
0.8
0.022
0.02
0.7
--
Teflon on steel
Metal on ice
Rubber tip of crutch on rough wood
Summary
The standard friction equation is the relationship between the resistive force of sliding friction for
hard surfaces, the normal force and the coefficient of friction for the two surfaces. When applied to
sliding friction of hard surfaces, the equation implies that friction is independent of the area of the
surfaces in contact. This equation can also apply to soft surfaces, rolling friction and fluid friction,
but the coefficient of friction may depend on other factors.
Be determined to do your best
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/friction_equation.htm
2016/07/31
Standard Friction Equation by Ron Kurtus - Succeed in Understanding Physics: Schoo... Page 5 of 7
Websites
Friction Concepts - HyperPhysics
Friction - Wolfram Research Science World
Friction Resources - Extensive list
Books
The following books are available from Amazon.com.
Basic
Complete Idiot's Guide To Physics by Johnnie T. Dennis; Alpha (2003) $18.95
What Is Friction? (Ages 4-8) by Lisa Trumbauer; Children's Press (CT) (2004) $4.95
Advanced
Friction Science and Technology (Mechanical Engineering Series) by Peter J. Blau; Marcel
Dekker Pub. (1995) $89.95
Control of Machines with Friction (The International Series in Engineering and Computer
Science) by Brian Armstrong-Hlouvry; Springer Pub. (1991) $179.00
Share
Click on a button to bookmark or share this page through Twitter, Facebook, email, or other
services:
2.3K
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/friction_equation.htm
2016/07/31
Standard Friction Equation by Ron Kurtus - Succeed in Understanding Physics: Schoo... Page 6 of 7
Friction topics
Resistive Force of Friction
Basics
Uses of Friction
Causes of Friction
Coefficient of friction
Standard Friction Equation
Coefficient of Friction for Clean Surfaces
Coefficient of Friction for Greased Surfaces
Sliding friction
Sliding Friction
Sliding Friction on an Inclined Surface
Changing Sliding Friction on Hard Surfaces
Rolling friction
Rolling Friction
Role of Friction in Starting Rolling Motion
Rolling Friction and Automobile Tires
Traction Friction of Tires
Fluid friction
Changing Fluid Friction
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/friction_equation.htm
2016/07/31
Standard Friction Equation by Ron Kurtus - Succeed in Understanding Physics: Schoo... Page 7 of 7
Be a Champion!
The School for Champions helps you become the type of person who can be called a Champion.
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/friction_equation.htm
2016/07/31