Friction and its Effects
Stuid
Our hands get warm when we rub them against each other. ‘Friction’ is the reason behind this! Let’s learn more about friction in this blog.
The force which resists the sliding or rolling of one solid object over another is known as friction. This happens due to the electromagnetic attraction between the charged particles of two touching surfaces. Friction will always act in the opposite direction to movement.
For example, a car slows down when we apply brakes. This happens due to the friction between the brakes and the wheels.
Factors Affecting Friction
Force of friction may vary depending on the following factors.
- The degree of friction tends to be less when two smooth surfaces come in contact with each other. The interlocking between the surfaces will be smaller.
- Interlocking between two rough surfaces will be too much. Hence when two rough surfaces come in contact with each other, the degree of friction will be very high.
- Friction is determined by the weight of the object/amount of force applied by the object on the surface.
Rolling Friction
The force which resists motion when an object rolls on a surface is called rolling friction. Technically it is called ‘rolling resistance’. We know that when a body rolls perfectly on a surface, there will be no sliding friction between the object and the surface. Due to the elastic properties, the bodies and surface will experience deformation. The net normal force will be low due to the ‘small’ surface of contact, making it difficult to prevent a body from sliding and keeping it stationary. Static friction is mostly higher than rolling friction. The static friction will increase with a rise in external force.
Sliding Friction
The frictional force between two surfaces which are rubbing against each other is known as sliding friction. Every time an object slides on any surface, it will experience a backward force due to the relative motion between the two adjacent surfaces. It will always act against the motion. In a static situation, the applied force which tries to slide the object will be equal to the force of friction acting on the object. At a particular moment, the object will start moving in the direction of the external force. This is due to the gradual increase in the applied force. The force of friction which acts against the motion will remain constant.
Fluid Friction
The type of friction which arises when fluid layers move ‘relative’ to each other is known as ‘fluid friction’. Viscosity can be defined as the internal resistance to the flow of fluids. Inshort it is nothing, but the thickness of the fluid.
Effects of Friction
- Produces heat – helps in heating objects/to warm ourselves.
- It causes power loss.
- Produces noise.
- Helps us in walking, running, playing etc.
Answer) The force which resists the sliding or rolling of one solid object over another is known as friction.
Answer) Rolling friction, sliding friction, fluid friction etc.
Answer) The force which resists motion when an object rolls on a surface is called rolling friction.