Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

Module 5 Title: Friction

Module Introduction/Rationale:

In this module, we will discuss the laws of friction, the difference between the static and kinetic
friction, and use the equation of force of friction in solving problem.

Module Outcomes:
CO2: Analyze static and dynamic equilibrium of particles and rigid bodies

Lesson 1 Title: Laws of Friction

Lesson Outcomes:
At the end of this topic the learner should be able to:
1. define friction
2. identify the difference between static and kinetic friction
3. apply the laws of friction in solving the problem

FRICTION

Friction may be defined as the resistance between two bodies in contact as one body moves or to
move past the other body. Friction is a retarding force always acting opposite to the motion or tendency
to move.

Static and Kinetic Friction

rightward direction

W W W

P P

μ μ Ff μ Ff

φ
N N N R

(a) (b) (c)

Forces acting on a block resting on a horizontal surface are its weight and the normal force.
A small horizontal force P is applied to the block, and its still at rest, there will be a force Ff from
the supporting surface. This resisting force is called force of friction. While the block is at rest, the
friction is called static friction, When motion is impending, the static friction will have its highest
value and is called limiting friction. After motion begins the friction decreases and is called kinetic
friction.

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 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

Force of Friction

Ff = μ N where: Ff = force of friction

μ = coefficient of friction
N = normal pressure

Angle of Friction

Ff
tan φ = where: φ = angle of friction
N
Ff = force of friction
N = normal force

μN
tan φ = tan φ = μ
N

LAWS OF FRICTION

1. If friction is neglected, the reactions are always normal to the surface in contact.

2. The direction of the frictional force is parallel to the surface in contact and is directed to oppose motion
of the free body (or its tendency to move.

3. If static friction is acting, the value of the friction force may vary from zero to the maximum available
value, depending upon the force tending to cause motion.

4. The maximum available value of static friction (the limiting friction when motion impends) is equal to
μS N where μS is the coefficient of static friction and N is the normal pressure.

5. If kinetic friction is acting, the friction force is constant at its limiting value. At moderate speeds, friction
is independent of the velocity. At high speeds, friction decreases as speed increases.

6. The kinetic friction is equal to μK N where μK is the coefficient of kinetic friction and N is the normal
pressure.

7. The angle between the total reaction and its normal component, when limiting friction is acting, is
called the angle of friction. The tangent of this angle is the coefficient of friction.

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 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

Sample Problem:
1. A 400-lb block is resting on a rough horizontal surface for which the coefficient of friction is 0.40.
Determine the force P required to cause motion to impend if applied to the block (a) horizontally (b)
downward at 300 with the horizontal and (c) upward at 300 with the horizontal. (d) What minimum force
is required to start motion?

Solution:
rightward direction
ΣFy = 0 Up = Down
W = 400 lbs N = W = 400 lbs

Ff = μ N = (0.40) (400) = 160 lbs

P
ΣFx = 0 Right = Left
P = Ff
μ = 0.40 P = 160 lbs. answer
Ff

Solution:
rightward direction
ΣFy = 0 Up = Down
0
N = W + P sin 30
W = 400 lbs N = 400 + 0.50 P

Ff = μ N = (0.40) (400 + 0.50 P)

Ff = 160 + 0.20 P
300
P ΣFx = 0 Right = Left
0
μ = 0.40 Ff P cos 30 = Ff
0.87 P = 160 + 0.20 P
P = 238.81 lbs answer
N

Solution:
rightward direction
ΣFy = 0 Up = Down
0
N + P sin 30 = W
W = 400 lbs
N + 0.50 P = 400
P N = 400 – 0.50 P

300 Ff = μ N = (0.40) (400 – 0.50 P)

Ff = 160 – 0.20 P

μ = 0.40 Ff ΣFx = 0 Right = Left

0
P cos 30 = Ff
0.87 P = 160 – 0.20 P
N P = 149.53 lbs answer

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 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

Based on the solution, the least value of P occurs when the force applied is upward with an angle of 300
along the horizontal. To determine the minimum value of force P it should be applied upward along the
horizontal.
Solution:
rightward direction
tan Ɵ = μ = 0.40
0
W = 400 lbs Ɵ = 21.80

P ΣFy = 0 Up = Down
0
N + P sin 21.80 = W
Ɵ
N + 0.37 P = 400
N = 400 – 0.37 P
μ = 0.40 Ff
Ff = μ N = (0.40) (400 – 0.37 P)
Ff = 160 – 0.15 P
N
ΣFx = 0 Right = Left
0
P cos 21.80 = Ff
0.93 P = 160 – 0.15 P
P = 148.15 lbs answer

2. The 200-lb block has impending motion up the plane caused by the horizontal force of 400 lbs.
Determine the coefficient of static friction between the contact surfaces.

upward direction
W = 200 lbs
200 lbs 300
400 lbs
Ff
400 lbs μ=?
300
300
300
Solution: N

ΣFy = 0 Up = Down
0 0
N = 200 cos 30 + 400 sin 30 Free-Body Diagram (FBD)
N = 373.21 lbs

ΣFx = 0 Right = Left W = 200 lbs

0
400 cos 30 = Ff + 200 sin 30
0 300
400 lbs
Ff = 246.41 lbs
300
Ff = μ N
246.41 = μ (373.21) Ff
μ=?
μ = 0.66 answer

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 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

3. Determine the value of the weight which is necessary to start the system of blocks in moving to the
right. The coefficient of friction is 0.10 and the pulleys are assumed to be frictionless.

400 lbs

600 lbs W
300

μ = 0.10

Solution: FBD of 600 lb-block:

ΣFy = 0 Up = Down
N = W = 600 lbs right 600 lbs

Ff1 = μ N = (0.10) (600) = 60 lbs T1

ΣFx = 0 Right = Left

T1 = Ff1 = 60 lbs. μ = 0.10 Ff1

FBD of 400 lb-block:

ΣFy = 0 Up = Down
N = 400 cos 30
0 up 400 lbs
300 T2 300 400 lbs
N = 346.41 lbs

Ff2 = μ N = (0.10) (346.41) = 34.64 lbs T1 T2

Ff2
ΣFx = 0 Right = Left T1 Ff2
0
T2 = Ff2 + 400 sin 30 + T1 0 μ = 0.10 μ = 0.10
30
T2 = 34.64 + 200 + 60 N
T2 = 294.64 lbs
N

T2
ΣFy = 0 Up = Down
T2 = W
W = 294.64 lbs answer

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 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

Problem Set No: 1 (Module 5)

1. Determine the value of force P required to cause the system of blocks to have impending motion to the
right. The coefficient of friction under each block is 0.40. The pulleys are assumed to be frictionless.

P
B 200
300 lbs
A
100 lbs
μ = 0.40

350

2. Determine the value of force P required to cause the system of blocks to have impending motion to the
right. The coefficient of friction under each block is 0.20. The pulleys are assumed to be frictionless.
P
B C 150
300 N 400 N

μ = 0.20

A
100 N

3. Determine the value of force P required to cause the system of blocks to have impending motion to the
right. The coefficient of friction under each block is 0.30. The pulleys are assumed to be frictionless.

C P
10 KN
B
15 KN μ = 0.30
A
20 KN
400

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 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

4. Determine the value of the weight of block W which is necessary to start the system of blocks in moving
to the right. The coefficient of friction is 0.25 and the pulleys are assumed to be frictionless.

B
20 KN
A C
10 KN W
μ = 0.25
0
30

5. Determine the value of force P required to cause the system of blocks to have impending motion to the
right. The coefficient of friction under each block is 0.18. The pulleys are assumed to be frictionless.

P
C 250
200 lbs
B
500 lbs
A μ = 0.18
300 lbs 300
μ = 0.18

6. Determine the value of force P required to cause the system of blocks to have impending motion to the
right. The coefficient of friction under each block is 0.40. The pulleys are assumed to be frictionless.

P
C 150
300 N
B
150 N
μ = 0.40
300

A
200 N