Friction may be defined as the contact resistance exerted by one

body upon a second body when the second body moves or tends
to move past the first body.

Two types of friction:

Dry friction
➢ Friction involving rigid bodies that are in contact along
unlubricated surfaces

Fluid friction
➢ Friction between layers of fluid moving at different velocities
Illustration Graph
W Equilibrium Motion
Impending motion
Fm

Friction
Fk

Applied Force
N
Experimental evidence shows that the maximum value Fm of the static-friction
force is proportional to the normal component N of the reaction of the surface.
Static Friction Approximate values of
coefficient of static friction:
𝑭𝒎 = 𝝁𝒔 𝑵 Metal on metal 0.15-0.60
Metal on wood 0.20-0.60
Kinetic Friction Metal on stone 0.30-0.70
Metal on leather 0.30-0.60
𝑭𝒌 = 𝝁𝒌 𝑵 Wood on wood 0.25-0.50
Wood on leather 0.25-0.50
Stone on stone 0.40-0.70
where 𝜇𝑠 is a constant called the coefficient of Earth on earth 0.20-1.00
static friction while 𝜇𝑘 is a constant called the Rubber on concrete 0.60-0.90
coefficient of kinetic friction
The corresponding values of
the coefficient of kinetic
friction is about 25% smaller.
Four different situations that occur when a rigid body is in
contact with a horizontal surface:

The forces applied to the body do not

tend to move it along the surface of
contact.
No friction
Four different situations that occur when a rigid body is in
contact with a horizontal surface:

The applied forces tend to move the

body along the surface of contact but
are not large enough to set it in motion.
No motion
Four different situations that occur when a rigid body is in
contact with a horizontal surface:

The applied forces are such that the

body is just about to slide. The friction
force has reached its maximum value
Fm and, together with the normal force
N, balances the applied forces.
Impending motion
Four different situations that occur when a rigid body is in
contact with a horizontal surface:

The body is sliding under the action of

the applied forces, and the equations of
equilibrium no longer apply.
However, F is now equal to Fk and we
can use the equation Fk = 𝜇𝑘 𝑁 . The
sense of Fk is opposite to the sense of
motion.
Consider again a block of weight W resting on a horizontal plane
surface. If no horizontal force is applied to the block, the resultant
R reduces to the normal force N.
Py W
P
However, if the applied force P has a
horizontal component Px that tends to
Px move the block, the resultant R will have
a horizontal component F and thus forms
an angle 𝜙 with the normal to the
surface.

R
N
 W
Py
P

Px 𝜙𝑠 = Angle of Static Friction

Fm
𝜙𝑠
R

N
 W

P Py

Px 𝜙𝑘 = Angle of Kinetic Friction

F
𝜙𝑘 R

N
Angle of Static Friction

𝜙𝑠 𝐹𝑚 𝜇𝑠 × 𝑁
𝑅 tan 𝜙𝑠 = =
𝑁 𝑁 𝑁
𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝝓𝒔 = 𝝁𝒔
𝐹𝑚
Angle of Kinetic Friction
𝜙𝑘 𝐹𝑘 𝜇𝑘 × 𝑁
tan 𝜙𝑘 = =
𝑁 𝑅 𝑁 𝑁
𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝝓𝒌 = 𝝁𝒌
𝐹𝑘
Most problems involving friction fall into one of the ff. three groups:
1.
All applied forces are given, and we know the
coefficients of friction; we are to determine whether
the body being considered remains at rest or slides.
The friction force F required to maintain equilibrium
is unknown (its magnitude is not equal to μsN) and
needs to be determined, together with the normal
force N, by drawing a free-body diagram and solving
the equations of equilibrium.

We then compare the value found for the

magnitude F of the friction force with the
maximum value Fm = μsN. If F ≤ Fm the body remains
at rest, If F > Fm motion takes place.
Most problems involving friction fall into one of the ff. three groups:
2.
All applied forces are given, and we know the
motion is impending; we are to determine the
value of the coefficient of static friction. Here again,
we determine the friction force and the normal
force by drawing a free-body diagram and solving
the equations of equilibrium.

Since we know that the value found for F is the

maximum value Fm, we determine the coefficient of
friction by solving the equation Fm = μsN .
Most problems involving friction fall into one of the ff. three groups:
3.
The coefficient of static friction is given, and we
know that the motion is impending in a given
direction; we are to determine the magnitude or
the direction of one of the applied forces.

The friction force should be shown in the free-body

diagram with a sense opposite to that of the
impending motion and with a magnitude Fm = μsN.
We can then write the equations of equilibrium
and determine the desired force.
When two bodies A and B are in contact, the forces of friction
exerted, respectively, by A on B and by B on A are equal and
opposite (Newton’s third law). In drawing the free-body diagram
of one of these bodies, it is important to include the appropriate
friction force with its correct sense.
 P

-Q

-P
 P

-Q
Observe the following rule: The sense of
Q the friction force acting on A is opposite
to that of the motion (or impending
motion) of A as observed from B. The
sense of the friction force acting on B is
determined in a similar way.
-P
 P
-F

-Q
-N Movement of A with
respect to B
Q

-P
 P

-Q
Movement of B with N
respect to AQ

-P
 P
-F

-Q
-N
N
Q

-P
The uniform crate as shown has a mass of 20 kg. If a force P = 80 N
is applied to the crate, determine if it remains in equilibrium. The
coefficient of static friction is μs = 0.30.

P = 80 N

30⁰
0.20 m

0.80 m
 The uniform crate as shown has a mass of 20 kg.
196.2 N If a force P = 80 kN is applied to the crate,
determine if it remains in equilibrium. The
coefficient of static friction is μs = 0.30.

Solution:
P = 80 N
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0
0.40 m 0.40 m 80 cos 30° – F = 0
30⁰
Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0
0.20 m −80 sin 30° + Nc – 196.2 = 0
0 F
x Σ𝑀0 = 0
80 sin 30° (0.4) – 80 cos 30° (0.2) + Nc (x) = 0
Nc Results:
F = 69.3 N Nc = 236 N x = -0.00908 m
x = -9.08 mm
 The uniform crate as shown has a mass of 20 kg.
196.2 N If a force P = 80 kN is applied to the crate,
determine if it remains in equilibrium. The
coefficient of static friction is μs = 0.30.

Solution:
P = 80 N
F = 69.3 N x = -0.00908 m
0.40 m 0.40 m
30⁰ Nc = 236 N x = -9.08 mm
Since x is negative it indicates that the
0.20 m resultant normal force acts (slightly) to
the left of the crate’s center line. No
F tipping will occur since x < 0.4 m.

Also, the maximum frictional force

which can be developed at the surface
Nc of contact is

Fm = μsN = 0.30(236) = 70.8 N

Hence, the crate will not slip
It is observed that when the bed of the dump truck is raised to an
angle 𝜃 = 25⁰, the blocks will begin to slide off the bed. Determine
the static coefficient of friction between the blocks and the
surface of the truck bed.
It is observed that when the bed of the dump truck is raised to an
angle 𝜃 = 25⁰, the blocks will begin to slide off the bed. Determine
the static coefficient of friction between the blocks and the
surface of the truck bed.

𝜃 = 25⁰
It is observed that when the bed of the dump truck is raised to an
angle 𝜃 = 25⁰, the blocks will begin to slide off the bed. Determine
the static coefficient of friction between the blocks and the
surface of the truck bed.

𝜃 = 25⁰
 𝑊 It is observed that when the bed of the
dump truck is raised to an angle 𝜃 = 25⁰,
the blocks will begin to slide off the bed.
Determine the static coefficient of
friction between the blocks and the
surface of the truck bed.
𝐺 Solution:
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0
𝑊 sin 25° – F = 0 F = 𝑊 sin 25°
Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0
𝜃 = 25⁰ 𝑁 − 𝑊 cos 25° = 0 𝑁 = 𝑊 cos 25°
Since motion impends at 𝜃 = 25⁰
𝑁 𝐹 𝐹 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑁
𝑊 sin 25° = 𝜇𝑠 𝑊 cos 25°
𝜇𝑠 = tan 25° = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟔𝟔
 𝑊 It is observed that when the bed of the
dump truck is raised to an angle 𝜃 = 25⁰,
the blocks will begin to slide off the bed.
Determine the static coefficient of
friction between the blocks and the
surface of the truck bed.
𝐺
The angle of 𝜃 = 25⁰ is referred to as the angle of
repose and by comparison, it is equal to the angle of
static friction, 𝜃 = 𝜙𝑠 . Notice from the calculation
that 𝜃 is independent of the weight of the block and
so knowing 𝜃 provides a convenient method for
𝜃 = 25⁰ determining the coefficient of static friction
Σ𝑀0 = 0
𝑁 𝐹
−𝑊 sin 25° 0.8 + 𝑊 cos 25° 𝑥 = 0
𝑥 = 0.37 m
Note: We find that 𝑥 = 0.37 m. Since 0.37 < 1.5 ,
indeed the block will slip before it can tip as
observed before.
The 2,375 N block shown below is in contact with 45° incline. The
coefficient of static friction is 0.30. Compute the value of the
horizontal force P necessary to (a) just start the block up the
incline or (b) just prevent motion down the incline. (c) If P = 1,850
N, what is the amount and direction of the friction force?

𝜃 = 45⁰
 The 2,375 N block shown below is in contact with 45°
2375 N incline. The coefficient of static friction is 0.30. Compute
y the value of the horizontal force P necessary to (a) just
x 45⁰ start the block up the incline or (b) just prevent motion
down the incline. (c) If P = 1,850 N, what is the amount and
direction of the friction force?
Solution:
Part (a) Force to just start the block up the
F incline
P Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0
45⁰
2375 cos 45° + 𝑃 sin 45° = 𝑁
𝜃 = 45⁰ 𝑁 = 1679.38 + 0.7071𝑃
N 𝐹𝑚 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑁 = 0.30(1679.38 + 0.7071𝑃)
= 503.814 + 0.212𝑃
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0
𝑃 cos 45° = 𝐹𝑚 + 2375 sin 45°
𝑃 cos 45° = 503.814 + 0.212𝑃 + 2375 sin 45°
𝑷 = 𝟒𝟒𝟏𝟎. 𝟕𝟎 N
 The 2,375 N block shown below is in contact with 45°
2375 N incline. The coefficient of static friction is 0.30. Compute
y the value of the horizontal force P necessary to (a) just
x 45⁰ start the block up the incline or (b) just prevent motion
down the incline. (c) If P = 1,850 N, what is the amount and
direction of the friction force?
Solution:
Part (b) Force to just prevent motion down
the incline
P Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0
45⁰ F
2375 cos 45° + 𝑃 sin 45° = 𝑁
𝜃 = 45⁰ 𝑁 = 1679.38 + 0.7071𝑃
N 𝐹𝑚 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑁 = 0.30(1679.38 + 0.7071𝑃)
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0
𝑃 cos 45° + 𝐹 = 2375 sin 45°
𝑃 cos 45° + 503.814 + 0.212𝑃 = 2375 sin 45°
𝑷 = 𝟏𝟐𝟕𝟖. 𝟖𝟓 N
 The 2,375 N block shown below is in contact with 45°
2375 N incline. The coefficient of static friction is 0.30. Compute
y the value of the horizontal force P necessary to (a) just
x 45⁰ start the block up the incline or (b) just prevent motion
down the incline. (c) If P = 1,850 N, what is the amount and
direction of the friction force?
Solution:
Part (c) If P = 1850 N, what is the amount and
direction of the friction force?
P
45⁰ F 𝑊𝑥 = 2375 sin 45° = 1679.38 N
𝜃 = 45⁰ 𝑃𝑥 = 1850 cos 45° = 1308.15 N

N 𝑊𝑥 > 𝑃𝑥 Friction is upward

If Px = Wx there will be no friction under the block. Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0
If Px > Wx friction is going downward to balance
𝐹 + 𝑃𝑥 = 𝑊𝑥
the Px.
If Px < Wx friction is going upward to balance the 𝐹 + 1308.15 = 1679.38
Wx
𝑭 = 𝟑𝟕𝟏. 𝟐𝟑 N (upward)
A woman is trying to move the crate of weight W = 12 kN by pulling on
the rope at an angle 𝜃 to the horizontal.
(a) Find the smallest possible force that the woman should pull to
cause the crate to slide. Coefficient of static friction is 0.20.
(b) Determine the angle 𝜃.
(c) Determine the frictional force.

𝜃
 A woman is trying to move the crate
𝑊 of weight W = 12 kN by pulling on the
𝑃𝑦 rope at an angle 𝜃 to the horizontal.
𝑃 (a) Find the smallest possible force
that the woman should pull to
cause the crate to slide.
𝜃 Coefficient of static friction is 0.20
𝑃𝑥

𝑁
 A woman is trying to move the crate
𝑊 of weight W = 12 kN by pulling on the
𝑃𝑦 rope at an angle 𝜃 to the horizontal.
𝑃 (a) Find the smallest possible force
that the woman should pull to
cause the crate to slide.
𝜃 Coefficient of static friction is 0.20
𝑃𝑥
𝑃
𝐹
𝜙𝑆
𝑅 RIGHT ANGLE
𝑁 𝑊

𝐹𝑚
 A woman is trying to move the crate
𝑊 of weight W = 12 kN by pulling on the
𝑃𝑦 rope at an angle 𝜃 to the horizontal.
𝑃 (a) Find the smallest possible force
that the woman should pull to
cause the crate to slide.
𝜃 Coefficient of static friction is 0.20
𝑃𝑥 𝑃 Solution:
𝜙𝑆 = tan 𝜃 𝜃 = arctan 0.20
𝐹 𝜽 = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟑𝟏°
𝜙𝑆 RIGHT
𝑅 ANGLE 𝑊 sin 𝜃 =
𝑃
𝑃 = 𝑊 sin 𝜃
𝜙𝑆 𝑊
𝑁 𝑃 = 12 sin 11.31°
𝑅 𝜃 𝑷 = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟓 𝒌𝑵

Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0
𝐹 = 𝑃𝑋 = 𝑃 cos 𝜃
𝐹 = 2.35 cos 11.31°
𝐹𝑚
𝑭 = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟎 𝒌𝑵
 A woman is trying to move the crate
𝑊 of weight W = 12 kN by pulling on the
𝑃𝑦 rope at an angle 𝜃 to the horizontal.
𝑃 (a) Find the smallest possible force that
the woman should pull to cause the
crate to slide. Coefficient of static friction
𝜃 is 0.20
𝑷 = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟓 𝒌𝑵
𝑃𝑥 (b) Determine the angle 𝜃

𝜽 = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟑𝟏°
𝐹 (c) Determine the friction force
𝜙𝑆
𝑅 𝑭 = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟎 𝒌𝑵
𝑁