Important Terms in Friction

Friction refers to the resistive forces that arise to oppose the motion of an object past another
with which it is in contact.
Kinetic Friction (fk) is the friction resistance an object in motion experiences.
Static Friction (fs) is the frictional resistance a stationary object must overcome in order to be
set in motion.
Coefficient of Friction is the constant of proportionality for a given pair of contacting surfaces
that relates the frictional force between them to the normal force with which one presses
against the other.

Things to consider about friction:

1) Friction is a retarding force always acting opposite to the motion or body that tends to
move.
2) Friction primarily exists because of the roughness of contact surfaces. If contact
surfaces are perfectly smooth, friction is neglected.
3) Friction is undesirable in machine where it cause less of power. On the other side, it is
desirable where it causes the machine to stop due to the brakes.

Theory of Friction

Where:
P P = applied force
F = frictional resistance/frictional force
F N = normal force
W = weight of the body
N

When the applied force P is continuously increasing, the body will pass each of the following
condition:
1) Body at Rest ( not in motion)
- When the body is still at rest the frictional resistance is equal to the applied force P. As P
increases, condition will still continue until the maximum frictional force is attained.
2. Motion is Impending
- is the condition where the frictional resistance is at its maximum. When the applied force
P is equal to maximum frictional resistance the body tends to move.
3. Body in Motion
- When the body is in motion, the frictional resistance drops to the value that acting below
when motion is impending.
Frictional force depends of the following:
1. The kinds of surface that are in contact
2. The perpendicular force with which either surface is pressed against the other.

W m
Static Friction
oti
Fr = f s N
on
Where:
Fr = frictional force
N = normal force
fs or μs = coefficient of static friction F
N r

Note:
- Static friction is use if the body is not moving or if moving at constant speed.
- Kinetic friction (fk) is use if the body is already moving
(a) If certain force F pushes the object to the right:
W
mo
tio
∑FH=0 F = Fr n
∑Fv=0 W=
F

(b) If certain force F is applied to the object at certain angle Ɵ:

F
N r
∑FH=0 Fr = F cosƟ W
mo
∑Fv=0 N = W + FsinƟ tio F
n
(c ) If the block is inclined at a certain angle and the block pushes a certain force horizontally:
Ɵ

Make Free Body Diagram

y F
N r

N
Fr
x
α
Ɵ F
Ɵ
W Ɵ
Ɵ

∑FH=0 F cosƟ = Fr + W cosα

∑Fv=0 W sinα + F sinƟ = N

Where: α = 900 – Ɵ
Angle of Friction
Where:
W
motion R = total reaction/resultant reaction of N & Fr
Φ = angle of friction (angle between N & R)
F
F tanΦ=
N
Since: F = fN
Fr
N Tan Φ = f
Φ

R
Example:
1. Determine the maximum angle which the adjustable incline may have with the horizontal before
the block of mass m begins to slip. The coefficient of static friction between the block and the
inclined surface is μs.

F.B.D.

Solution: The free-body diagram of the block shows its weight W=mg, the normal force N, and
the friction force F exerted by the incline on the block. The friction force acts in the direction to
oppose the slipping which would occur if no friction were present.
ΣFx = 0 ΣFy = 0
mg sin Ө - F = 0 - mg cos Ө + N = 0
F = mg sin Ө---------1 N = mg cos Ө-----------2

Equate 1 and 2
F/N = tan Ө
Since the max. angle occurs when F = Fmax
Then Fmax = μsN
μs or fs = tanӨmax or Өmax = tan-1 μs
2. What weight W is necessary to start the system of bocks shown in figure moving to the
right? The coefficient of friction is 0.10 and the pulleys are assumed to be frictionless.

Solution:
∑Fy = 0 ∑Fx = 0
N1 = 600 T2 - F2 - 400 sin30 - T1=0

F1 = f N1 = (0.10)(600) T1 = F 1
F1 = 60
 ∑Fy = 0 T2 = 34.64 + 200 + 60
N2 = 400 cos30 T2 = 294.64 N2
N2 = 346.41 KN T2 = W

F2 = fN2
F2 = (0.10)(346) = 34.64 KN W = 295 KN

Belt Friction
Consider a flat belt passing over a fixed cylindrical drum or pulley of radius r driven in counter clockwise
direction.

Where:
T2 = tension in the tight side
T1 = tension in the slack side
Where: T2>T1
β = angle of contact between the belt and the pulley
(radian)
μ = coefficient of friction

F.B.D.

Equilibrium in the t-direction gives:

dθ dθ
Tcos + μdN =( T + dT ) cos
2 2
Or μdN=dT

Since the cosine of a differential quantity is unity in the limit.

Equilibrium in the n-direction requires that
dθ dθ
dN =( T + dT ) sin +Tsin
2 2
Or dN = TdƟ
Combining the two equilibrium relations gives

dT
=μdθ
T
Integrating between corresponding limits yields
T2 β
dT
∫ T =∫ μdθ
T 1 0
 T2
¿ ln =μβ
T1

Where:
T2 = T1e

Example:
A flexible cable which supports the 100-kg load is passed over a fixed circular drum and
subjected to a force P to maintain equilibrium. The coefficient of static friction between the
cable and the fixed drum is 0.30. (a) For α = 0, determine the maximum and minimum values
which P may have in order not to raise or lower the load. (b) For P= 500 N, determine the
minimum value which the angle α may have before the load begins to slip.

(a) α = 0; β = π/2 rad

For impending upward motion of the load,
T2 = Pmax, T1 = 981 N

π
Pmax 0.30 ( 2 )
=e
981
Pmax=981¿.602)
Pmax = 1572 N

For impending downward motion of the load, T 2 = 981 N and T1 = Pmin

π
981 0.30 ( )
=e 2
Pmin
Pmin = 981/1.602
Pmin = 612 N

(b) with T2 = 981 N and T1 = P=500 N

981 0.30 β
=e
500
981
0.30 β=ln( 500 )=0.674
360
β=2.25 rad∨ β=2.25 (
2π )
0
=128.7

∝=128.7 0−900 =38.70

Module 1 (ES 211b) Name: ____________________________________________
Plates No. Program/Year: ____________Date Submitted: ___________

Solve the following problems clearly and neatly.

1. The 200lb block shown in figure has impending motion up the plane caused by the
horizontal force of 400 lb. Determine the coefficient of static friction between the
contact surfaces.

300

2. The blocks shown are connected by flexible, in-extensible cords passing over
frictionless pulleys. A A the coefficients of friction are f s = 0.30 and fk = 0.20 while at B
they are fs = 0.40 and fk = 0.30. Compute the magnitude and direction of the friction
force acting on each block.

3. What weight W is necessary to start the system of blocks shown in figure moving to the
right? The coefficient of friction is 0.10 and the pulleys are assumed to be frictionless.
4. Find the least value of P required to cause the system of blocks shown in figure to have
impending motion to the left. The coefficient of friction under each block is 0.20.

5. A homogenous block of weight W rests upon the incline shown in figure. If the
coefficient of friction is 0.30, determine the greatest height h at which a force P parallel
to the incline may be applied so that the block will slide up the incline without tipping
over.