UNIT 3 : FRICTION

Introduction
So far we have not considered the surface roughness between the two contact surfaces i. e., the type of
contact between the two surfaces was considered as smooth. But a smooth surface does not exist in
actual practice. All the bodies have certain amount of roughness over their surface. Because of which
they offer resistance to the motion. Resistance to the motion of a body is called as friction. This resistance
acts in the opposite direction of motion.

Force of Friction
Consider a block of weight W kept on a horizontal surface. As both
the surface are rough surfaces, therefore, there are some
irregularities, present on both the contact surfaces in the form of
surface roughness. These irregularities gets interlocked with each
other, due to which there is a resistance to the relative motion
between these bodies. This resistance is called as force of friction,
Force of friction is a force developed between the two contact
surfaces due to interlocking of irregularities between them. It acts
opposite to the direction of motion. The view shown in Fig. is a
microscopic view, which cannot be seen by naked eyes.
Limiting Force of Friction

Consider a block of weight W kept on a horizontal surface. Let force

P is applied on the block to start the motion. But the force of friction
Fr developed between the two surfaces opposes the motion. From
F.B.D. of block
∑ Fx = 0
P = Fr
Therefore as we go on increasing the force P, the force of friction F,
will also increase. But Fr can increase only up to some maximum
value Fr (max) (A surface can offer resistance to motion only up to
some maximum value). The maximum resistance offered to the
motion of a body is called as limiting force of friction. If a body is at
rest then it is called as limiting force of static friction given by
Frmax = μsRN = Fs

where, ms = Coefficient of static friction.

If the body is in motion, then it is called as limiting force of kinetic friction.

Frmax = μkRN = Fk

where, mK = Coefficient of Kinetic friction.

A body experiences friction in motion as well as when It is at rest. But resistance to the motion (friction)
at rest is always greater than when it is in motion. Basically friction is of two types.

1. Dry friction or coulomb friction: It occurs when one body slides or rubs against another body, in the
absence of any lubricant between them.

2. Fluid friction: It occurs when one body slides or rubs against another body and there is a lubricant
present in between them. Lubricant serves the purpose of reducing the friction.
Variation of Force of Friction (Fr) with Applied Force (P)

Figure shows variation of force friction with change in

magnitude of applied force P.
1. When the applied force P is less than limiting force of static
friction. P < (Fr)max then the body will be at rest.

2.. When P = (Fr)max, the body is on the verge of impending

motion (i.e., motion is about to be given).

3. When P > (Fr)max, the maximum resistance to motion is

overcome and the body is in motion.
Laws of Dry Friction 2. Force of friction acts opposite to the direction of
impending motion and tangential at the contact
1. The maximum frictional force developed at surface.
contact surfaces is always directly proportional to
the normal reaction and the constant of 3. Coefficient of static friction is always greater than
proportionality is called as coefficient of friction. coefficient of kinetic friction.
Frmax  RN ms  mK
Frmax = mRN 4. Maximum frictional force developed at contact
Where m = Coefficient of friction. surfaces depends, upon nature of surfaces of
contacts and the material in contact.
(a) When the body is at rest
Frmax = msRN 5. Maximum frictional force developed at contact
surfaces is independent of area of contact surfaces
Where ms = Coefficient of static friction. and relative velocity.
(b) When the body is in motion

Frmax = mKRN
Where mK = Coefficient of Kinetic friction.
Angle of Friction Angle of Repose ()
Angle of friction is defined as angle made by Angle of repose is defined as the angle made by
resultant reaction with normal reaction when the inclined plane with horizontal at which body placed
force of friction is maximum (Frmax). on it just start its motion down the inclined plane
only because of its self Weight.

Cone of Friction
It is defined as the locus of resultant reaction
with respect to normal reaction for same external
force P for various direction.
Problem 1 Impending motion at contacts
Find force P required to pull block B. Coefficient The block B impends towards right due to force p
of friction between A and B is 0.3 and between B and the block A impends towards left due to
and floor is 0.25. tension T.
Apply condition of equilibrium for block A

Apply condition of equilibrium for block B

Problem 2
Find force P required to move the system. The
pulley is frictionless and wire connecting the two
blocks is inextensible. Take MA = 50 kg and MB =
30 kg and m at all sliding surfaces 0.3.

Impending motion of block A due to force P is

towards down and block B impends towards up.
Therefore, frictional forces is in opposite direction.
Problem 3
Coefficient of friction at all sliding surfaces is 0.3.
Find mass M of block B, required for equilibrium
of the system. Rod AB is rigid weightless and A
and B are frictionless pin joints.

As the block is on inclined plane. So represent

resultant of normal reaction and frictional force:
Resultant is R at an angle 

Impending motion of block B is towards right and

block A is towards down on sliding surface.
Therefore, Frictional force is in opposite to
impending motion.
Problem 4
Angle of friction between block B and inclined
surface is 14°. Find coefficient of friction between
block A and horizontal surface. Rod connecting A
and B is rigid weightless and connections are
frictionless pin connections.

Solution:
Block B tends to move in downward direction.
and block A towards left.
Problem 5
A wooden block rests on a horizontal plane as
shown in figure. Determine the force ‘P' required
to (a) pull it (b) push it. Assume the weight of
block as 100 N and the coefficient of friction m =
0.4.

(b)Force required to push.

Solution:
(a) Force required to pull
Apply condition of equilibrium
Problem 6
In the figure below, the two blocks A and B of
weights 30 N and 50 N respectively are placed on
rough horizontal plane. Coefficient of friction
between block A and plane is 0.3, that between B
and plane is 0.2. Find the minimum value of the
force 'P' to just move the system. Also find the
tension in the string.

Solution:
Problem 7
Two rectangular blocks of weights W1 and W2 are
connected by a flexible cord and rest upon a
horizontal and inclined plane respectively with
the cord passing over frictionless pulley as shown
in figure. Taking a particular case, where W1=W2
and coefficient of friction 'm' is same for all
contact surface. Find the angle of inclination of
the inclined plane at which motion of system will
impend.

Solution:
Problem 8
Find the tensions in the cords of the inclined
plane system shown in the figure.

FBD Of Block A

Solution: FBD Of Block B

Problem 9
Weights of two blocks A and B are 100 N and 150
N respectively. Find the smallest value of the
horizontal force 'F' to just move the lower block
B, if (i) the block is restrained by a string, (ii)
when string is removed.

(ii)

Solution
Problem 10
Two blocks A (100 N) and B (150 N) are resting on
the ground as shown in the figure. Find the
minimum value of weight P in the pan so that
motion starts. Find whether B stationary with
respect to ground and A moves or B is stationary
w.r.t. A.
Problem 11
The rod AB of length 5 m and weight 70 kg is
leaning against a wall. Find minimum  for
equilibrium. Take coefficient of friction 0.25.

Solution:
Problem 12
A homogeneous ladder of length 5 m and mass 20
kg is leaning against a wall as shown in the figure.
The ladder is in equilibrium in given position. A
man of mass 70 kg wants to climb up the ladder.
Find what maximum distance along the ladder, he
will able to move up the ladder, before the ladder
starts sleeping.
Problem 13
A non homogeneous ladder as shown in figure
rests against a wall at A and a rough horizontal
surface at B. The mass of ladder is 30Kg and is
concentrated at 2m from the bottom. m=0.35. Will
the ladder stand in 600 position as shown in
figure.

412.92 sin = 444.115 cos

tan  = 1.075
 = 47.080

 At  = 47.080 ladder is at equilibrium.

 at an angle  = 600 ladder will slip.
Problem 14
Find force P required to lift 5000 N block. Take
coefficient of friction at all surfaces in contact 0.3.

Solution :
Problem 15
Find force P required to move the 5000 N block.
(m = 0.3)

Solution :
Problem 16
Coefficient of friction at all surface in contact is
0.3. Find force P required for equilibrium of the
system.

Solution :
Problem 17
If coefficient of friction at all sliding surfaces is 0.3
Find whether the 4 KN force is enough to move
the 5 KN load of inclined surface.

Solution:
(Fy = 0)
RN3 – 2 - 5.39 sin 58.3 = 0
RN3 = 6.58 KN

(Fx = 0)
0.3RN3 + 5.39cos 58.3 - P = 0
5 P = 4.8 KN
=
sin 98.3 sin 113.4
P = 4 KN is not enough.
R2 = 5.39KN
Problem 18
Two wedges used to lift 2KN block as shown in
figure. Take m=0.25 and find force P required.

Solution: