228 Friction

Chapter

5
Friction
Introduction Fl R or Fl s R
If we slide or try to slide a body over a surface, the (ii) Direction of the force of limiting friction is
motion is resisted by a bonding between the body and always opposite to the direction in which one body is at
the surface. This resistance is represented by a single the verge of moving over the other
force and is called friction force. (iii) Coefficient of static friction : (a) s is called
The force of friction is parallel to the surface and coefficient of static friction and is defined as the ratio of
opposite to the direction of intended motion.
F
Types of Friction force of limiting friction and normal reaction s
R
(1) Static friction : The opposing force that
(b) Dimension : [M 0 L0T 0 ]
comes into play when one body tends to move over the
surface of another, but the actual motion has yet not (c) Unit : It has no unit.
started is called static friction. (d) Value of depends on material and nature of
(i) If applied force is P and surfaces in contact that means whether dry or wet ;
R
the body remains at rest then rough or smooth polished or non-polished.
P
static friction F = P.
F
(e) Value of does not depend upon apparent
(ii) If a body is at rest and area of contact.
no pulling force is acting on it, mg (3) Kinetic or dynamic friction : If the applied
force of friction on it is zero. force is increased further and sets the body in motion,
Fig. 5.1
(iii) Static friction is a self- the friction opposing the motion is called kinetic friction.
adjusting force because it changes itself in accordance (i) Kinetic friction depends upon the normal
with the applied force and is always equal to net reaction.
external force.
Fk R or Fk k R where k is called the
(2) Limiting friction : If the applied force is
coefficient of kinetic friction
increased, the force of static friction also increases. If
the applied force exceeds a certain (maximum) value, (ii) Value of k depends upon the nature of
the body starts moving. This maximum value of static surface in contact.
friction upto which body does not move is called limiting (iii) Kinetic friction is always lesser than limiting
friction.
friction Fk Fl k s
(i) The magnitude of limiting friction between any
two bodies in contact is directly proportional to the i.e. coefficient of kinetic friction is always less than
normal reaction between them. coefficient of static friction. Thus we require more force
to start a motion than to maintain it against friction.
 229 Friction
This is because once the motion starts actually ; inertia Friction is a Cause of Motion
of rest has been overcome. Also when motion has
It is a general misconception that friction always
actually started, irregularities of one surface have little opposes the motion. No doubt friction opposes the
time to get locked again into the irregularities of the motion of a moving body but in many cases it is also the
other surface. cause of motion. For example :
(iv) Kinetic friction does not depend upon the (1) While moving, a person or vehicle pushes the
velocity of the body. ground backwards (action) and the rough surface of
(v) Types of kinetic friction ground reacts and exerts a forward force due to friction
(a) Sliding friction : The opposing force that which causes the motion. If there had been no friction
comes into play when one body is actually sliding over there will be slipping and no motion.
the surface of the other body is called sliding friction.
e.g. A flat block is moving over a horizontal table.
(b) Rolling friction : When objects such as a Friction
wheel (disc or ring), sphere or a cylinder rolls over a

surface, the force of friction that comes into play is Action
called rolling friction. Fig. 5.3
(2) During cycling, the rear wheel moves by the
Rolling friction is directly proportional to the
force communicated to it by pedalling while front
normal reaction (R) and inversely proportional to the
wheel moves by itself. So, when pedalling a bicycle,
radius (r) of the rolling cylinder or wheel.
the force exerted by rear wheel on ground makes
R force of friction act on it in the forward direction (like
Frolling r
r walking). Front wheel moving by itself experience
r is called coefficient of rolling friction. It would force of friction in backward direction (like rolling of
a ball). [However, if pedalling is stopped both wheels
have the dimensions of length and would be measured in
move by themselves and so experience force of
metre.
friction in backward direction].
Rolling friction is often quite small as compared
to the sliding friction. That is why heavy loads are
transported by placing them on carts with wheels.
In rolling the surfaces at contact do not rub
each other.
The velocity of point of contact with respect to
the surface remains zero all the times although the While Pedalling is
centre of the wheel moves forward. pedalling stoped
Fig. 5.4
Graph Between Applied Force and Force of Friction
(3) If a body is placed in a vehicle which is
(1) Part OA of the curve represents static friction accelerating, the force of friction is the cause of
(Fs ) . Its value increases linearly with the applied force motion of the body along with the vehicle (i.e., the
body will remain at rest in the accelerating vehicle
(2) At point A the static friction is maximum. This
represent limiting until ma smg). If there had been no friction
Force of friction

friction (Fl ) . between body and vehicle, the body will not move
along with the vehicle.
(3) Beyond A, the
force of friction is seen A
a
to decrease slightly. B C ma
smg
The portion BC of the Fs
curve represents the
Fl Fk
kinetic friction (Fk ) .
(4) As the portion Fig. 5.5
O Applied force
BC of the curve is
Fig. 5.2 From these examples it is clear that without
parallel to x-axis
therefore kinetic friction does not change with the friction motion cannot be started, stopped or transferred
applied force, it remains constant, whatever be the from one body to the other.
applied force.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Friction
 Friction 230
(1) Advantages of friction tan = s [As we know
(i) Walking is possible due to friction. Fl
s ]
(ii) Two body sticks together due to friction. R
or tan1( L )
Hence coefficient of static friction is equal to
tangent of the angle of friction.

Resultant Force Exerted by Surface on Block

Fig. 5.6 Fig. 5.7 In the above figure resultant force S F 2 R2

(iii) Brake works on the basis of friction.
S (mg)2 (mg)2
(iv) Writing is not possible without friction.
S mg 2 1
(v) The transfer of motion from one part of a
machine to other part through belts is possible by when there is no friction ( 0) S will be
friction. minimum

(2) Disadvantages of friction i.e. S = mg

(i) Friction always opposes the relative motion Hence the range of S can be given by,
between any two bodies in contact. Therefore extra mg S mg 2 1
energy has to be spent in over coming friction. This
reduces the efficiency of machine.
Angle of Repose
Angle of repose is defined as the angle of the
(ii) Friction causes wear and tear of the parts of
inclined plane with horizontal such that a body placed
machinery in contact. Thus their lifetime reduces.
on it is just begins to slide.
(iii) Frictional force result in the production of
heat, which causes damage to the machinery. By definition, is called the angle of repose.

In limiting condition F mgsin and

Methods of Changing Friction
R mgcos R F
We can reduce friction
(1) By polishing.
mg sin
(2) By lubrication.

mg cos
(3) By proper selection of material. mg
(4) By streamlining the shape of the body.
Fig. 5.9
(5) By using ball bearing.
Also we can increase friction by throwing some F
sand on slippery ground. In the manufacturing of So tan
R
tyres, synthetic rubber is preferred because its
coefficient of friction with the road is larger. F
s tan tan [As we know
R
Angle of Friction
F
Angle of friction may be defined as the angle s tan ]
which the resultant of limiting friction and normal R
reaction makes with the normal Thus the coefficient of limiting friction is equal to
S R
reaction. the tangent of angle of repose.

By definition angle is
F P As well as i.e. angle of repose = angle of
friction.
called the angle of friction
Calculation of Required Force in Different Situation
F mg
tan l If W = weight of the body, = angle of friction,
R Fig. 5.8
tan coefficient of friction
 231 Friction
Then we can calculate required force for different W sin
situation in the following manner : P
cos( )
(1) Minimum pulling force P at an angle (3) Minimum pulling force P to move the
from the horizontal P body up on an inclined plane
P

Fig. 5.10

By resolving P in horizontal and vertical direction
(as shown in figure) R
Fig. 5.14
P sin By Resolving P in the direction of the plane and
F P cos perpendicular to the plane (as shown in the figure)
R + P sin
P cos
W
Fig. 5.11 F + W sin

For the condition of equilibrium

W cos
W
F P cos and R W P sin
By substituting these value in F R Fig. 5.15
For the condition of equilibrium
P cos (W P sin )
R P sin W cos
sin
P cos (W P sin ) [As R W cos P sin and
cos
tan ] F W sin P cos
F P cos W sin
W sin
P
cos( ) By substituting these values in F R and
solving we get
(2) Minimum pushing force P at an angle
from the horizontal W sin( )
P P
cos( )

(4) Minimum force to move a body in downward
direction along the surface of inclined plane
P
Fig. 5.12
By Resolving P in horizontal and vertical direction

(as shown in the figure) R

F P cos

Fig. 5.16
P sin By Resolving P in the direction of the plane and
W perpendicular to the plane (as shown in the figure)
Fig. 5.13 R + P sin
F
For the condition of equilibrium
P cos
F P cos and R W P sin +
W sin
By substituting these value in F R
W cos
W
P cos (W P sin )

sin Fig. 5.17

P cos (W P sin ) [As tan ] For the condition of equilibrium
cos
R P sin W cos
 Friction 232
R W cos P sin and
For vertical equilibrium
F P cos W sin
R P sin mg
By substituting these values in F R and
solving we get R mg P sin
(i)
)
W sin(
P and for horizontal motion
cos( )
P cos F
(5) Minimum force to avoid sliding of a body
down on an inclined plane P i.e. P cos R (ii)
Substituting value of R from (i) in (ii)
P cos (mg P sin )

mg
P (iii)
cos sin
For the force P to be minimum (cos sin )
Fig. 5.18 must be maximum i.e.
By Resolving P in the direction of the plane and 2
perpendicular to the plane (as shown in the figure) d 1
[cos sin ] 0
R + P sin
d
F+P
cos sin cos 0 1

tan Fig. 5.22

1
W sin W cos
or tan ( ) angleof friction
W i.e. For minimum value of P its angle from the
horizontal should be equal to angle of friction
Fig. 5.19
For the condition of equilibrium
As tan so from the figure, sin
R P sin W cos 1 2
R W cos P sin and 1
P cos F W sin and cos
1 2
F W sin P cos
By substituting these value in equation (iii)
By substituting these values in F R and
solving we get mg
P mg
sin( ) 1 2
P W 1 2

cos( ) 1 2 1 2
(6) Minimum force for motion along mg
horizontal surface and its direction Pmin
P
1 2
Acceleration of a Block Against Friction
(1) Acceleration of a block on horizontal
Fig. 5.20 surface
Let the force P be applied at an angle with the When body is moving under application of force P,
horizontal. then kinetic friction opposes its motion.
R
By resolving P in horizontal and vertical direction Let a is the net acceleration of the body ma
(as shown in figure) From the figure Fk
R + P sin P
ma P Fk
F P cos
P Fk
a mg
m Fig. 5.23
mg
(2) Acceleration of a block sliding down over
Fig. 5.21 a rough inclined plane
 233 Friction
When angle of inclined plane is more than angle of (ii) Material and nature of surface in contact.
repose, the body placed on the inclined plane slides (iii) Distance moved.
down with an acceleration a. R
F Motion of Two Bodies one Resting on the Other
ma
From the figure ma mgsin F
When a body A of mass m is resting on a body B
ma mgsin R of mass M then two conditions are possible
ma mgsin mg cos
mg sin mg
(1) A force F is applied to the upper body, (2) A
mg cos force F is applied to the lower body
Acceleration a g[sin cos ]
Fig. 5.24 m A F
Note : For frictionless inclined plane
L
0 a g sin . M B

(3) Retardation of a block sliding up over a

rough inclined plane Fig. 5.28
When angle of inclined plane is less than angle of We will discuss above two cases one by one in the
repose, then for the upward motion ma following manner :
R
ma mg sin F (1) A force F is applied to the upper body,
then following four situations are possible
ma mg sin mg cos
(i) When there is no friction
mg sin + mg (a) The body A will move on body B with
F ] mg
Retardation a g[sin cos cos
acceleration (F/m).
Fig. 5.25 aA F / m
Note : For frictionless inclined plane
(b) The body B will remain at rest
0 a g sin
aB 0
Work done against friction
(c) If L is the length of B as shown in figure, A will
(1) Work done over a rough inclined surface fall from B after time t
If a body of mass m is moved up slowly on a rough 2L 2mL
inclined plane through distance s, then t
a F
Work done = force distance
= ma s = mg [sin + cos ]s 1 2
As s 2 a t and a F/m
mgs[sin cos ]
(ii) If friction is present between A and B only
ma and applied force is less than limiting friction (F < Fl)
R
(F = Applied force on the upper body, Fl = limiting
friction between A and B, Fk = Kinetic friction between A
s and B)

mg sin + mg
(a) The body A will not slide on body B till F Fl
F mg cos i.e. F smg
(2) Work done over aFig. 5.26
horizontal surface
(b) Combined system (m + M) will move together
In the above expression if we put = 0 then F
with common acceleration aA aB
Work done = force distance = F s = mg s M m
It is clear that work done depends upon (iii) If friction is present between A and B only
and applied force is greater than limiting friction (F >
R
Fl)
F P In this condition the two bodies will move in the same
direction (i.e. of applied force) but with different
acceleration. Here force of kinetic friction kmg will
s oppose the motion of A while cause the motion of B.
mg
Fig. 5.27
(i) Weight of the body. Free body diagram of A
F Fk maA
maA

A F

Fk
 Friction 234

F Fk
i.e. aA
m

(F kmg)
aA
m
Free body diagram of B 2L 2ML
Fk M aB t
a F
MaB
F (ii) If friction is present between A and B only
i.e. aB k FK
M B and F < Fl
(where F = Pseudo force on body A and Fl =
mg
aB k limiting friction between body A and B)
M
(a) Both the body will move together with common

F
Note : As both the bodies are moving acceleration a
M m
in the same direction.
(b) Pseudo force on the body A,
Acceleration of body A relative to B will be
mF
MF kmg(m M ) F ma and Fl smg
a aA aB m M
mM
mF
So, A will fall from B after time (c) F Fl smg
m M
2L 2mML F s (m M ) g
t
a MF kmg(m M )
So both bodies will move together with
(iv) If there is friction between B and floor
F
Fl (M m) g = acceleration aA aB if F s[m M ] g
(where limiting friction m M
between B and floor, Fk = kinetic friction between A and (iii) If friction is present between A and B only
B) and F > Fl
B will move only if Fk Fl and then (where Fl = s mg = limiting friction between body
A and B)
Fk Fl M aB
Both the body will move with different
MaB
acceleration. Here force of kinetic friction kmg will
FK
B
oppose the motion of B while will cause the motion of A.
Fl
Fig. 5.29 maA k mg Free body diagram of A
However if B does not move then static friction will
work (not limiting friction) between body
A Bma
and
A the floor i.e. aA k g
i.e. friction force = applied force (= Fk) not Fl .Fk
F Fk MaB Free body diagram of B
(2) A force F is applied to the lower body,
MaB
then following four situations are possible
i.e.
(i) When there isFno
K friction F
B
(a) B will move with acceleration (F/M) while A will [F kmg]
aB
remain at rest (relative to ground) as there is no pulling M
force on A.

F
aB and aA 0
M
Note : As both the bodies are moving
(b) As relative to B, A will move backwards with
in the same direction
acceleration (F/M) and so will fall from it in time t.

A m

L F
M B

Fig. 5.30
 235 Friction
Acceleration of body A relative to B will be (1) When a mass m1 placed on a rough

F k g(m M ) horizontal plane Another mass m2 hung from the

a aA aB
M string connected by frictionless pulley, the tension (T)

produced in string will tryR to start the motion of mass
Negative sign implies that relative to B, A will
move backwards and will fall it after time m1 . T
Fl m1
2L 2ML
t T
a F k g(m M ) m1g

(iv) If there is friction between B and floor m2

and F > Fl :
Fig. 5.32 m2 g
(where Fl = s(m+M)g = limiting friction between
body B and surface) At limiting condition T Fl
''
The system will move only if F Fl then m2g R m2g m1g
replacing F by F Fl . The entire case (iii) will be m2 m1 this is the minimum value of m2
valid. to start the motion.
However if F F1 the system will not move and
Note : In the above condition Coefficient of
friction between B and floor will be F while between A
and B is zero. m2
friction
Motion of an Insect in the Rough Bowl m1
The insect crawl up the bowl, up to a certain height (2) When a mass m1 placed on a rough
h only till the component of its weight along the bowl is inclined plane Another mass m2 hung from the
balanced by limiting frictional force.
O string connected by frictionless pulley, the tension (T)
r
produced in string will try to start the motion of mass
Fl R T
y m1 . R
A T
mg sin h
m1
m2
mg cos
mg
Fig. 5.31 m1g m2 g
m1g sin + F
Let m = mass of the insect, r = radius of the bowl, cos
= coefficient of friction m1 g
for limiting condition at point A Fig. 5.33
R mgcos ......(i) and Fl mgsin
At limiting condition
......(ii)
Dividing (ii) by (i) For m2 T m2g
Fl (i)
tan As Fl R For m1 T m1g sin F
R
r 2 y2 r T m1g sin R
or y
1 2
y T m1g sin m1g cos
(ii)
1
So h r y r 1
1 2
,
From equation (i) and (ii)

m2 m1[sin cos ]
1
h r 1
1 2 this is the minimum value of m2 to start the

motion
Minimum Mass Hung from the String to Just
Start the Motion Note : In the above condition Coefficient of
friction
 Friction 236

m2 1 1
tan (g sin ) t2 = g (sin cos )(nt)2
2 2
m1 cos
sin (sin cos ) n2
Maximum Length of Hung Chain
1
A uniform chain of length l is placed on the table in tan 1 2
such a manner that its l' part is hanging over the n
edge of table without sliding. Since the chain have
Stopping of Block Due to Friction
uniform linear density therefore the ratio of mass and
ratio of length for any part of the chain will be equal. (1) On horizontal road
We know (i) Distance travelled before coming to rest :
m2 masshangingfromthetable A block of mass m is moving initially with velocity u on a
rough surface and due to friction, it comes to rest after
m1 masslyingon thetable
covering a distance S.
For this case we can rewrite above expression in S
the following manner v=0
u
lengthhangingfromthetable
[As chain
lengthlyingon thetable( l l ) Fig. 5.37
have uniform linear density] Retarding force F ma R ma mg
l a g
l
l l From v2 u2 2aS 0 u2 2 g S
[As v 0, a g]
l
by solving l
( 1) Fig. 5.34 u2 P2
S
2g
or S
2m2g
Coefficient of Friction Between a Body and
[As momentum P = mu]
Wedge (ii) Time taken to come to rest
A body slides on a smooth wedge of angle and From equation v u a t 0 u g t
its time of descent is t.
[As v 0, a g]
u
S S t
g
Smooth wedge Rough wedge (2) On inclined road : When block starts with

velocity u its kinetic energy will be converted into
potential energy and some part of it goes against
Fig. 5.35 Fig. 5.36
friction and after travelling distance S it comes to rest
If the same wedge made rough then time taken by i.e. v = 0.
it to come down becomes n times more (i.e. nt)
We know that retardation a g [sin cos ]
The length of path in both the cases are same.
By substituting the value of v and a in the
1 2
For smooth wedge, S u t at following equation
2 v=0

1 S
S (g sin ) t2
2 u
(i)

[Asu 0 and a g sin ]
Fig. 5.38
1 2 v2 u2 2a S
For rough wedge, S u t at
2 0 u2 2g[sin cos ] S
1
S g (sin cos ) (nt)2 u2
2 S
2g (sin cos )
(ii)
[Asu 0 anda g (sin cos )] Stopping of Two Blocks Due to Friction
From equation (i) and (ii) When two masses compressed towards each other
and suddenly released then energy acquired by each
 237 Friction
block will be dissipated against friction and finally block
comes to rest
i.e., F S = E [Where F = Friction, S =
Now block will remain static w.r.t. cart. If friction
Distance covered by block, E = Initial kinetic energy of
force R mg
the block]
ma mg [As R ma]
A B
g
m1 m1 m2 m2 a

S1 S2 g
Fig. 5.39 amin

P2 This is the minimum acceleration of the cart so
FS [Where P = momentum of
2m that block does not fall.
block] and the minimum force to hold the block together
P2 Fmin (M m) amin
mg S [As F = mg]
2m g
Fmin (M m)
P 2
S
2m2g Sticking of a Person with the Wall of Rotor
In the given condition P and are same for both A person with a mass m stands in contact against
the blocks. the wall of a cylindrical drum (rotor). The coefficient of
2
1 S1 m2 friction between the wall and the clothing is .
So, S ;
m2 S2 m1 If Rotor starts rotating about its axis, then person
thrown away from the centre due to centrifugal force at
Velocity at the Bottom of Rough Wedge a particular speed , the person stuck to the wall
A body of mass m which is placed at the top of the even the floor is removed, because friction force
wedge (of height h) starts moving downward on a rough balances its weight in this condition.
inclined plane.
From the figure.
Loss of energy due to friction = FL (Work
against friction) u=0 Friction force (F) = weight of
m person (mg)
PE at point A = mgh A F
L
R = mg Fc mg R FC
1 h
KE at point B = mu2 B [Here, Fc= mg
2 m
centrifugal force]
v
Fig. 5.40
2 Fig. 5.42
By the law of conservation of energy m minr mg

1
i.e. mv2 mgh FL g
2 min
r
2
v (mgh FL)
m

Sticking of a Block With Accelerated Cart

When a cart moves with some acceleration toward
right then a pseudo force (ma) acts on block toward left. Force of friction is non-conservative force.
This force (ma) is action force by a block on cart.
Force of friction always acts in a direction
a opposite to that of the relative motion between the
F
surfaces.

m F Rolling friction is much less than the sliding

ma R M m
CART friction. This knowledge was used by man to invent

mg
Fig. 5.41

the wheels.
The friction between two surfaces increases
(rather than to decrease), when the surfaces are
made highly smooth.
The atomic and molecular forces of attraction
between the two surfaces at the point of contact give
rise to friction between the surfaces.
Friction 238
7. In the figure shown, a block of weight 10 N resting
on a horizontal surface. The coefficient of static
friction between the block and the surface
s 0.4 . A force of 3.5 N will keep the block in
uniform motion, once it has been set in motion. A
horizontal force of 3 N is applied to the block, then
the block will [MP PET 1993]

(a) Move over the surface with constant velocity

Static and limiting friction (b) Move having accelerated motion over the
surface
1. The coefficient of friction and the angle of
(c) Not move
friction are related as
(d) First it will move with a constant velocity for
(a) sin (b) cos
some time and then will have accelerated
(c) tan (d) tan motion
2. A force of 98 N is required to just start moving a
body of mass 100 kg over ice. The coefficient of 8. Two masses A and B of 10 kg and 5 kg respectively
static friction is are connected with a string passing over a
frictionless pulley fixed at the corner of a table as
(a) 0.6 (b) 0.4
shown. The coefficient of static friction of A with
(c) 0.2 (d) 0.1
table is 0.2. The minimum mass of C that may be
3. A block weighs W is held against a vertical wall by
applying a horizontal force F. The minimum value placed on A to prevent it from moving is
of F needed to hold the block is [MP PET 1984]
[MP PMT 1993]
C
(a) Less than W (b) Equal to W
(c) Greater than W (d) Data is insufficient (a) 15 kg A

4. The maximum static frictional force is (b) 10 kg

(a) Equal to twice the area of surface in contact B

(c) 5 kg
(b) Independent of the area of surface in contact
(d) 12 kg
(c) Equal to the area of surface in contact
9. The limiting friction is
(d) None of the above
5. Maximum value of static friction is called (a) Always greater than the dynamic friction
[BHU 1995; RPET 2000] (b) Always less than the dynamic friction
(a) Limiting friction (b) Rolling friction
(c) Equal to the dynamic friction
(c) Normal reaction (d) Coefficient of friction
(d) Sometimes greater and sometimes less than
6. Pulling force making an angle to the horizontal
the dynamic friction
is applied on a block of weight W placed on a
horizontal table. If the angle of friction is , then 10. Which is a suitable method to decrease friction
the magnitude of force required to move the body (a) Ball and bearings (b) Lubrication
is equal to [EAMCET 1987]
(c) Polishing (d) All the above
W sin W cos
(a) (b)
)
g tan( )
cos(

W sin W tan
(c) (d)
)
cos( )
sin(