Class 8 Physics Friction Introduction

Have you ever wondered how a rolling ball eventually comes to a halt. Why is that we cannot hold a glass firmly when our hands are oily? Why do our
shoes get worn out after some days of use? Why are there wheels attached to luggage trolleys? Why do we tend to slip on a wet floor? These are due to
'Friction'. In this chapter, we will study about Friction and its characteristics.
Class 8 Physics Friction Force of Friction
Friction is a type of forces that opposes motion. It is that forces which always acts in a directionopposite to that of the applied force. In case of a ball
freely rolling on the ground, the ball eventually comes to stop, because of the force of friction that acts between the ball and the ground. When the
rowing of a boat is stopped, the boat eventually comes to a halt because of friction. It also means that while rowing the force should be greater than the
force of friction.

If force acts from right to left (<--), friction acts in left to right direction (-->) (See boat example)
If force acts from left to right (-->), friction acts in right to left direction (<--). (See football example)
Class 8 Physics Friction Factors affecting Friction
As we studied in the previous case, friction is caused by theinteraction between the surfaces which are in contact. Friction is caused bythe
irregularities on the two surfaces which are in contact. The irregularities on both surfaces tend to lock into each other and this resists the motion of
the object. The nature of the surface (smoothness or roughness) affects the friction.

Smooth surfaces have lesser irregularities. The lesser the irregularities, the lesser the tendency to lock. The lesser the tendency to lock with another
object, the lesser the friction (that is tendency to oppose motion). And so, a ball rolls faster and covers a greater a distance on a smooth surface such
as a marble floor or a wet floor. Think of the bowling game.

Rough surfaces have more irregularities. The more the irregularities, the more tendency to lock. The more the tendency to lock,the more the friction
(that is tendency to oppose motion). And so, a ball rolls slowly and covers a lesser distance on a rough surface such as muddy play ground. Think of a
rough muddy playground. So, it obviously means that to get the ball rolling we have to apply a force which is greater than the frictional force offered by
the ground.

This also explains why we cannot hold a glass with oily hands. Our hands are greasy and smooth and we know that smooth offers lesser interaction or
lock with the glass. And hence it tends to slip.

While trekking on hilly and watery terrains, we wear groovy sports shoes so that rough shoes establish better locking with the hilly trains, increase
friction, provide more grip and decrease chances of a slip.
Class 8 Physics Friction Friction - a necessary evil
(i) Desirable Friction - Grooves on Tyres (ii) Undesirable Friction - Worn out soles

Desirable Friction Undesirable Friction

These are the instances wherefriction exists and These are the instances wherefriction exists, but it
is absolutely essential is undesirable

Examples Examples

· To bring a rolling ball to stop (else it would keep ·Automobile parts, machine parts begin to
rolling) degrade over a period of time due to friction

·Grooves on automobile tyres increase friction ·The sole of our shoes wears outafter prolonged
between tyres and the rough road surface. They use because of friction with the rough road
provide more grip surface.

· Cleats on sports shoes provide better stability to ·When there are dry areas on a water slide, the
the sportsman with the ground slide fall will not be very smooth.

· Rough sand paper is used to smooth wood

Such type of friction should be retained or Such type of friction should beminimized
increased

(Note: As we can see again, rough surfaces increase friction. Smooth surfaces decrease friction.)
Class 8 Physics Friction Methods to reduce friction
We mentioned above that undesirable friction should be reduced. Here are some of the ways to reduce Friction.

Lubricants

Wheels

Lubricants: In case of automobiles and machine-parts which tend to get screechy or ineffective over a period of time, we apply substances to make
their surfaces smooth and thereby reduce friction. These are called lubricants. You must have seen specific lubricants for automobile parts in petrol
stations. Also, you must have noticed that we apply oil to screechy doors in our houses.

Wheels: We have seen luggage trolleys use wheels. It is easier to pull heavy loads with wheels as against pulling/pushing them along the ground.

Try pulling or pushing a heavy weight object/ luggage without wheels on the ground and you will realise it would be much harder. This is because of the
friction offered by the ground on the heavy load. This opposition to motion when a body moves over another surface is called Sliding Friction. But
with the wheel, it just rolls. This opposition to motion when a body rolls over another surfaceis called Rolling Friction. The Rolling Friction is less that
Sliding Friction.
Class 8 Physics Friction Friction also produces heat
The friction between a match stick and match box helps light the match stick and so.

When you rub your palms together for a few seconds, they become warm
Class 8 Physics Friction Fluid Friction
Fluids (means liquids and gases) too exert friction on the objects. The frictional force exerted by fluids is called adrag. Since water and air too exert
friction on the bodies that move in them like the boat, fishes (in water), aeroplane and birds, their physical structure should be such that they can
oppose this friction and move forward.

Notice the similarities between the physical structure of an aeroplane (man-made) and that of an bird and also a boat(man-made) and that of a fish.