Friction

-A force that opposes

motion
-Acts parallel to the
surfaces in contact.
 Friction is Everywhere!!!

walking
tires

brakes
sand on icy streets
OBJECTIVES: AFTER
COMPLETING THIS MODULE,
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
Define
Defineand
andcalculate
calculatethe
thecoefficients
coefficientsof
ofkinetic
kineticand
andstatic
static
friction,
friction,and
andgive
givethe
therelationship
relationshipof
offriction
frictionto
tothe
thenormal
normal
force.
force.

Apply
Applythe
theconcepts
conceptsof
ofstatic
staticand
andkinetic
kineticfriction
frictionto
to
problems
problemsinvolving
involvingconstant
constantmotion
motionor
orimpending
impendingmotion.
motion.
KEY TERMS

Friction
Static friction
Sliding friction
Rolling friction
Fluid friction
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF FRICTION?

The strength of the force of friction depends on two

factors: how hard the surfaces push together and
the types of surfaces involved.

Smooth surfaces have less friction; bumpy surfaces

have more

Friction acts in a direction opposite to the direction

of the objects motion
 Friction Force vs. Weight

Cause of Friction:
The microscopic roughness
between surfaceslike two
gears locking together.
Ff

W
 FRICTION FORCES

When two surfaces are in contact, friction forces oppose relative

motion or impending motion.

Friction forces are parallel to the

surfaces in contact and oppose motion or
impending motion.

Static Friction: No relative Kinetic Friction: Relative

motion. motion.
If it is not moving, then there is no
friction until an applied force acts on
the object! What if it is moving?

Ff F

Friction can also cause heat!

 WHAT IS STATIC FRICTION?

Friction that acts on objects that are not

moving ,because of static friction, you
must use more force to start the motion of
stationary objects
Once you start an object moving there is no
longer static friction
WHAT IS SLIDING FRICTION

Occurs when two solid surfaces slide over

each other.

Ballet dancers applying resin to ballet

slippers so they dont slip

Bicycle brakes

Skinning your knee

 WHAT IS ROLLING FRICTION
Occurs when an object rolls across a surface.

Easier to overcome than sliding friction for

similar materials.

Ball bearings are in moving objects such as

skates, skateboards, and bicycles.

Ball bearings reduce friction by rolling

between moving parts.
 WHAT IS FLUID FRICTION

Occurs when solid objects move through a

fluid
Easier to overcome than sliding friction
Reason why moving parts are
often bathed in oil or other
lubricants ?
Fluid friction occurs between a bicyclist and
the air. Bicyclists often wear streamlined
helmets and clothes
 FRICTION AND THE NORMAL FORCE

8N n
12 N n
4N

n2N 4N 6N

The force required to overcome static or kinetic friction is

proportional to the normal force, n.

ffs = snn
s = s
ffk = knn
k = k
 FRICTION FORCES ARE
INDEPENDENT OF AREA.
4N 4N

If the total mass pulled is constant, the same force (4 N) is required

to overcome friction even with twice the area of contact.

For this to be true, it is essential that ALL other variables

be rigidly controlled.
 FRICTION FORCES ARE INDEPENDENT OF
TEMPERATURE, PROVIDED NO CHEMICAL OR
STRUCTURAL VARIATIONS OCCUR.

4N 4N

Heat can sometimes cause surfaces to become

d e f o r m e d o r s t i c k y. I n s u c h c a s e s , t e m p e r a t u r e
c a n b e a f a c t o r.
FRICTION FORCES ARE INDEPENDENT OF SPEED.

5 m/s 20 m/s

2 N 2 N

The force of kinetic friction is the same at 5 m/s as it is

for 20 m/s. Again, we must assume that there are no
chemical or mechanical changes due to speed.
 THE STATIC FRICTION FORCE
When an attempt is made to move an object on a
surface, static friction slowly increases to a MAXIMUM
value.

n
fs
P
f s s n
W

In this module, when we use the following equation, we

refer only to the maximum value of static friction and
simply write:

n
n
= ss
ffss =
 CONSTANT OR IMPENDING MOTION
For motion that is impending and for motion at constant speed, the
resultant force is zero and F = 0. (Equilibrium)

fs P fk P

Rest Constant
Speed
P fs = 0 P fk = 0

Here the weight and normal forces are balanced and do

not affect motion.
 FRICTION AND ACCELERATION

When P is greater than the maximum fs the resultant force

produces acceleration.

a This case will be

discussed in a later
fk P chapter.

Constant
Speed
n
fk = k

Note that the kinetic friction force remains constant even as

the velocity increases.
 EXAMPLE 1: IF K = 0.3 AND S = 0.5, WHAT
HORIZONTAL PULL P IS REQUIRED TO JUST START A
250-N BLOCK MOVING?

1. Draw sketch and free-

body diagram as
2. shown.
List givens and label
n what is to be found:
P
fs k = 0.3; s = 0.5; W = 250
+ N Find: P = ? to just start
W

3. Recognize for impending motion: P fs

=0
EXAMPLE 1(CONT.): S = 0.5, W = 250 N. FIND P TO
OVERCOME FS (MAX). STATIC FRICTION APPLIES.

For this case: P fs = 0

n
fs
P
4. To find P we need to
+ know fs , which is:
250
N n
fs = s n=?

5. To find n: Fy = 0
nW=0
W = 250 N n= 250
(Continued)
N
EXAMPLE 1(CONT.): S = 0.5, W = 250 N. FIND P TO OVERCOME FS
(MAX). NOW WE KNOW N = 250 N.

6. Next we find fs from:

n
n
fs = s = 0.5 (250 N) fs
P

7. For this case: P fs = 0 +

250
P = fs = 0.5 (250 N) N
PP=
=125
125NN
s = 0.5

This force (125 N) is needed to just start

motion. Next we consider P needed for constant
speed.
EXAMPLE 1(CONT.): IF K = 0.3 AND S = 0.5, WHAT
HORIZONTAL PULL P IS REQUIRED TO MOVE WITH CONSTANT
SPEED? (OVERCOMING KINETIC FRICTION)

Fy = m a y =0

k = 0.3
n-W=0 n=W
n Now: f = n = W
P k k k

fk Fx = 0; P - fk = 0
+
P = fk = kW
mg

P = (0.3)(250 N) PP=
=75.0
75.0NN
 THE NORMAL FORCE AND WEIGHT
The normal force is NOT always equal to the
weight. The following are examples:

P
n
Here the normal force is less
than weight due to upward
300 component of P.
m

W
P Here the normal force is

n equal to only the compo- nent

of weight perpendi- cular to
the plane.
W

 REVIEW OF FREE-BODY DIAGRAMS:

For
ForFriction
FrictionProblems:
Problems:

Read
Read problem;
problem; draw
draw and
and label
label sketch.
sketch.

Construct
Construct force
force diagram
diagram for
for each
each object,
object, vectors
vectors at
at
origin
origin of
of x,y
x,y axes.
axes. Choose
Choose xx or
or yy axis
axis along
along motion
motion
or
or impending
impending motion.
motion.

Dot
Dot in
in rectangles
rectangles and
and label
label xx and
and yy compo-nents
compo-nents
opposite
opposite and
and adjacent
adjacent to
to angles.
angles.

Label
Label all
all components;
components; choose
choose positive
positive direction.
direction.
 FOR FRICTION IN EQUILIBRIUM:
Read,
Read, draw
draw and
and label
label problem.
problem.

Draw
Draw free-body
free-body diagram
diagram for
foreach
each body.
body.

Choose
Choose xx or
ory-axis
y-axis along
along motion
motion or
or impending
impending
motion
motion and
and choose
choose direction
direction of
of motion
motion as
as positive.
positive.

Identify
Identify the
the normal
normal force
forceand
and write
write one
one of
of
following:
following:

ffss==ssn or ffkk==kkn
n or n
For
For equilibrium,
equilibrium, we
we write
write for
for each
each axis:
axis:
FFxx==00 FFyy==00

Solve
Solve for
for unknown
unknown quantities.
quantities.
 EXAMPLE 2. A FORCE OF 60 N DRAGS A 300-N BLOCK BY A
ROPE AT AN ANGLE OF 400 ABOVE THE HORIZONTAL
SURFACE. IF UK = 0.2, WHAT FORCE P WILL PRODUCE
CONSTANT SPEED?

W = 300 P=?
m
N
fk n 40 0
1. Draw and label a
sketch of the
problem.
2. Draw free-body
W
diagram.
P sin 400 Py P
The force P is to be
replaced by its com-
n 40 Py
ponents Px and Py. 0

fk Px
P cos
400
W +
EXAMPLE 2 (CONT.). P = ?; W = 300 N; UK
= 0.2.
P sin 400
3. Find components P
n 40
of P:
Px = P cos 40 =
0 0
P cos
0.766P fk
Py = P sin 400 = 400
=0.643P
mg +
Px 0.766P; P = 0.643P
y

Note: Vertical forces are balanced, and for constant speed,

horizontal forces are balanced.

F x 0 F y 0
EXAMPLE 2 (CONT.). P = ?; W = 300 N; UK
= 0.2.
Px =
0.766P Py = 0.643P
P
0.643P n
4. Apply Equilibrium 400
con- ditions to fk 0.766P
vertical axis.
FFy = 0 300 N
y = 0 +

n + 0.643P 300 N= 0
n = 300 N 0.643P ; n are up (+)]
[Py and

Solve for n in terms of P

nn =
= 300
300 N
N
0.643P
EXAMPLE 2 (CONT.). P = ?; W = 300 N; UK
= 0.2.
nn =
= 300
300 N
N 0.643P
P

0.643P
0.643P
n
5. Apply Fx = 0 to con- 400

stant horizontal fk 0.766P

motion.
F = 0.766P f = 0 300 N
Fxx = 0.766P fkk = 0 +

fk = k n = (0.2)(300 N - 0.643P)

fk = (0.2)(300 N - 0.643P) = 60 N 0.129P

0.766P fk = 0; 0.766P
0.766P(60
(60NN0.129P)
0.129P)=
=00
EXAMPLE 2 (CONT.). P = ?; W = 300 N; UK
= 0.2.
0.643P P 0.766P
0.766P(60
(60NN0.129P
0.129P)=0
)=0
n
400
6. Solve for unknown P.
fk 0.766P
300 0.766P 60 N + 0.129P =0
+
N
If P = 67 N, the block will
0.766P + 0.129P = 60 N
be dragged at a constant
speed.
0.766P + 0.129P = 60 N

0.895P = 60 N

P = 67.0 N P = 67.0 N
EXAMPLE 3: WHAT PUSH P UP THE INCLINE IS NEEDED TO MOVE
A 230-N BLOCK UP THE INCLINE AT CONSTANT SPEED IF K =
0.3?

Step 1: Draw free-body P

including forces, angles
and components.
W =230 N

y n P
x 60
0

Step 2: Fy = 0
fk W cos 600
W sin 60 0 n W cos 60 = 0
0

600
n = (230 N) cos 60 0

230
N nn==115
115NN
EXAMPLE 3 (CONT.): FIND P TO GIVE MOVE
UP THE INCLINE (W = 230 N).

y n P
x
n = 115 N W = 230 N

Step 3. Apply Fx= 0

fk W cos 60 0

W sin 600 600 P - fk - W sin 600 = 0

fk = kn = 0.2(115 N)
W
fk = 23 N, P= ?

P - 23 N - (230 N)sin 600 = 0

P - 23 N - 199 N= 0 PP=
=222
222NN
 SUMMARY: IMPORTANT POINTS TO
CONSIDER WHEN SOLVING FRICTION
PROBLEMS.

The maximum force of static

friction is the force required to
just nstart motion.
fs
P
f s s n
W
Equilibrium exists at that instant:

Fx 0; Fy 0
SUMMARY: IMPORTANT POINTS
(CONT.)
The force of kinetic friction is that
force required to maintain
constant
n motion.
fk
P
f k k n
W

Equilibrium exists if speed is

constant, but fk does not get
larger as the speed is increased.
Fx 0; Fy 0
SUMMARY: IMPORTANT POINTS
(CONT.)
Choose an x or y-axis along the
direction of motion or impending
motion.
The F will be zero
along the x-axis and
along the y-axis.
k = 0.3
n
P
fk

+
In this figure, we have:
W

Fx 0; Fy 0
SUMMARY: IMPORTANT POINTS
(CONT.)
Remember the normal force n is
not always equal to the weight of an
object. P
n 300
It is necessary to draw the free-
body diagram and sum forces to
m
solve for the correct n value.
W
P
n
W Fx 0; Fy 0

 SUMMARY

Static Friction: No relative Kinetic Friction: Relative

motion. motion.

ffs snn
s s
ffk = knn
k = k

Procedure for solution of equilibrium problems is the same

for each case:

Fx 0 Fy 0
 CONCLUSION:
FRICTION AND EQUILIBRIUM