Friction

What is Friction?

 Friction is the resistance to the

movement of an object due to its
contact with another object.

 When a moving object comes in contact

with another object, friction is the
opposing force that slows or stops the
moving object.
What is Friction?

 Without friction, an object would continue to move at

constant speed forever.

 The strength of the force of friction depends on the

type of surfaces and how hard the surfaces push
together.

 Rough surfaces produce greater friction than smooth

surfaces.
What is Friction?

 Without friction you could not

 Write

 Drive a car

 Fly an airplane

 Why not?
Four Types of Friction

 Rolling Friction
 Static
 Sliding Friction
 Fluid Friction
What do all these things have in common?
 Rolling Friction

 Rolling friction is friction

that occurs between surfaces
in motion in which one of
the surfaces is a wheel,
roller, or ball.
 Examples:
 Riding a bike – tires and ground
 Snooker – balls and table
 Roller Skating – wheels and
ground
What do all these things have in common?
 Static Friction

 Static friction is friction

that occurs when the
surfaces in contact are at
rest (not in motion).

 Examples:
 A book resting on a desk.

 A potted plant sitting on a

sidewalk.
What do all these objects have in common?
 Sliding Friction

 Sliding friction is
friction that occurs
when solid surfaces
slide over one another.
 Examples:
 Writing – pencil point and
paper
 Combing your hair –
surface of comb and
strands of hair
What do all these things have in common?
 Fluid Friction

 The force that tries to slow objects down when they

move through a liquid or a gas. It's also known as
"drag", or "air resistance".
 All gases and liquids are fluids.
 An airplane and a swimmer both experience fluid
friction.
Ways to Reduce Friction

 Smooth the surface

 Replace rolling with sliding
 Add oil or another type of lubricant
Gravity and Air Resistance

 Most objects falling through air

experience a type of fluid friction called
air resistance.
 Air resistance is not the same for all
objects.
 The greater the surface area of the
object the greater the air resistance.
 However, since the elephant has more
mass, it has more downward force of
gravity and falls faster.
What type of friction?
 Static Friction
What type of friction?
 Rolling Friction
What type of friction?
 Fluid Friction
What type of friction?
 Static Friction
What type of friction?
 Sliding Friction