Friction: Factors Affecting Friction

Friction depends partly on the smoothness of the

contacting surfaces, a greater force being needed
to move two surfaces past one another if they are
rough than if they are smooth. However, friction
decreases with smoothness only to a degree;
friction actually increases between two extremely
smooth surfaces because of increased attractive
electrostatic forces between their atoms. Friction
does not depend on the amount of surface area in
contact between the moving bodies or (within
certain limits) on the relative speed of the bodies.
It does, however, depend on the magnitude of the
forces holding the bodies together. When a body is
moving over a horizontal surface, it presses down
against the surface with a force equal to its weight,
i.e., to the pull of gravity upon it; an increase in
the weight of the body causes an increase in the
amount of resistance offered to the relative motion
of the surfaces in contact

Method of decreasing and increasing friction

Method of decreasing friction:

By polishing: Friction between two surfaces can be reduced by polishing them.

The interlocking and projections are minimized by this method.
Ball-bearing: As the rolling friction less than the sliding friction consequently
in rotating machinery, the shafts are fixed on the ball bearing so that the
friction can be reduced considerably. For example-the free wheel of a cycle, the
axle of a motorcar, the shafts of the motor dynmo etc. are provided with ball-
bearing.
Lubricants: Friction between two surfaces can be decreased by using
lubricants. A lubricant is a substance (a solid or a liquid) which forms a thin
layer between the two surfaces in contact. It also fills the depressions present in
 the surfaces of contact and reduces friction considerably. In light machinery
thin oils with low viscosity are used, in heavy and fast moving machinery thick
oils and solutes (grease) are used.
Streamline: The friction due to air is reduced by making the automobiles
streamline.

Methods of increasing friction:

By making the surface rough friction can be increased. Examples of increasing

friction-the tyres of a motor car and bicycles are made rough to increase the friction
.when a ground or surface become slippery after rain or water splashing it is made
rough by spreading sand to increase the friction.

THE FIVE LAWS OF

FRICTION

1. When an object is moving, the friction is

proportional and perpendicular to the normal
force (N)
 2. Friction is independent of the area of
contact so long as there is an area of contact.
3. The coefficient of static friction is slightly
greater than the coefficient of kinetic friction.
4. Within rather large limits, kinetic friction is
independent of velocity.
5. Friction depends upon the nature of the
surfaces in contact.

Angle of friction is defined as the angle made between the normal reaction
force and the resultant force of normal reaction force and friction. whereas
the angle of repose is defined as the minimum angle of an inclined
plane which causes an object to slide down the plane.
 where is the coefficient of friction and is the normal reaction
force.

Resolving forces perpendicular to the plane, we have,

, .

For angle of friction , we had and we see that this is the

same expression that we get for angle of repose as well. Therefore, angle of
friction is equal to angle of repose.

Free Body Diagram for

Pushing/Pulling
Banking of road:
The process of raising outer edge of a road over its inner edge
through certain angle is known as banking of road.
Necessity of banking of the road:
i. When a vehicle moves along horizontal curved road,
necessary centripetal force is supplied by the force of friction
between the wheels of vehicle and surface of road. i. Frictional
force is not enough and unreliable every time as it changes
when road becomes oily or wet in rainy season.
iii. To increase the centripetal force the road should be made
rough. But it will cause wear and tear of the tyres of the wheel.
iv. Thus, due to lack of centripetal force vehicle tends to skid.