Introduction

Friction is a phenomenon that can be observed widely in our daily lives and has many applications.
There is still much to be learned about its nature and how it changes under different conditions. The
behavior and effects of friction have been studied for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. It can be
said that the use of logs and rounded rocks to move heavy objects was an engineering solution to
overcome friction-related problems in ancient times.
Friction can be defined as the force that resists sliding occurring between objects due to the influence
of a certain force, meaning it's the resistance that arises between two surfaces when one moves
against the other or tries to move, and this force acts to prevent the body from moving or reduce its
speed. Friction is described by a coefficient called the coefficient of friction, and it is assumed that
the coefficient of friction is a constant and specific value for each material. Tribology also includes
lubrication and corrosion, not just friction.
Contact Mechanics and the Physics of Friction are fundamental disciplines of the engineering
sciences, which are indispensable for the construction of safe and energy-saving designs. They are of
interest for countless applications, for example clutches, brakes, tires, bush and ball bearings,
combustion engines, hinges, gaskets, castings, machining, cold forming, ultrasonic welding,
electrical contacts, and many others. These applications have tasks spanning from stress analysis of
contact elements and joints, over the influence of lubrication and material design on friction and
wear, to applications in micro and nanotechnology.
A classical example of contact is a rail-wheel contact, in which we are interested foremost in
material strength and force transmission properties. Contacts can transfer mechanical force (screws),
conduct electricity or heat, or prevent the flow of material (seals). The contact between the tip of an
atomic force microscope and the underlying material or the contact between two tectonic plates are
examples of frictional contacts as well. Contact and friction phenomena on different scales, from
nanoscale phenomena to those on a mega-scale, have much in common and, thus, can be approached
with similar methods.
Friction leads to energy dissipation and in micro-contacts, where extreme stress is present, to micro-
fractures and surface wear. We often try to minimize friction during design in an attempt to save
energy. There are, however, many situations in which friction is necessary. Without friction, we
cannot enjoy violin music or even walk or drive. There are countless instances, in which friction
should be maximized instead of minimized, for example between tires and the road during braking.
Also, wear must not always be minimized. Fast and controllable abrasive techniques can actually
form the basis for many technological processes, (e.g., grinding, polishing, and sandblasting.).

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Type of Friction

Surface (dry) friction: occurs when two adjacent surfaces come into contact without a lubricant )1
.between them. This type of friction can cause wear on both surfaces and increase friction over time
:For Example
.A) When you rub your hands together without using any lubricant
.B) The friction of the wheels with the ground when the car is rotating

Liquid friction: occurs when two surfaces come into contact with a lubricant between them, such )2
.as oil or grease. The use of lubricants reduces friction and wear, making movement smoother
:For Example
A) When you rub your hands together without using any lubricant .
.B) The friction of the wheels with the ground when the car is rotating

Pneumatic friction: occurs when an object moves in the air or in a gaseous medium. Air friction )3
can generate heat and wear, but can also be used to reduce speed in some applications such as air
.brakes on heavy vehicles
:For Example
.A) When a bird moves through the air, it experiences friction with surrounding air molecules
B) Friction that occurs when ice slides on a flat surface, as it slides on a thin layer of compressed air
.beneath the ice

The main difference between dry friction and liquid friction is the type of material involved and the
.mechanism through which the friction occurs
Dry friction occurs between two solid surfaces in contact, where the frictional force arises from
interactions between atoms or molecules on the surface of the two objects. This type of friction
depends on factors such as the nature of the materials, their surface roughness, and the force that
.presses them together
On the other hand, fluid friction, also known as viscous friction, occurs between a solid object and a
liquid medium. The force of friction arises from the resistance to relative motion between the two, as
a result of internal friction or the viscosity of the fluid. In this case, friction depends on the nature of
.the fluid, its temperature, and the speed of the body moving through it
In short, dry friction occurs between two solid surfaces, while liquid friction occurs between a solid
object and a liquid medium

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Calculating of Frictional Force

When a body moves on a rough surface or through a fluid medium. There are two types of friction:
1. The Static force of friction ( Fs ): is a type of friction that occurs between two surfaces in contact
but no movement occurs between them.
2. The Kinetic force of friction ( Fk ): is the friction that occurs when an object moves across another
surface.

To determine the frictional force we need two coefficients the first one is called the coefficient of
static friction ( μs ) and the second one is called the coefficient of kinetic friction ( μk ).
The values of μs and μk depend on the nature of the surfaces that are in contact. Usually μk < . μs
 If ( F < Fmax ) the body don’t move
 If ( F = Fmax ) the body is about to move (this is called the point of slipping)
 If ( F > Fmax ) the body started to move
Fmax = μs . N
Problem Solving Strategy:
o Draw a free body diagram (FBD) for the problem
o Apply Newton's second law:
∑ F=ma
 If necessary, use the kinematic equations of motion
 If the body is in a state of equilibrium, it can be said that the sum of the forces on the
x-axis equals zero, and likewise, the sum of the forces on the y-axis equals zero.
o To find the value of Fs you can use:
∑Fx = 0 ∑Fy = 0 ∑M = 0
o To find the value of Fk you can use the following law:
o Fk = N . μk

W
Angle of Friction
F
tanθ=
N
F=N tan θ P

Since Fmax = μs . N
F
F
μs =
N
N
And in the point of slipping Fmax = F

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So μs = tan θ
R N
Problem
θ

F
The uniform 10-kg ladder a rest against the smooth wall at B,
and the end A rests on the rough horizontal plane for which
the coefficient of static friction is μs = 0.3. Determine the
angle of inclination θ of the ladder and the normal reaction
at B if the ladder is on the verge of slipping.

Solution:

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Friction Effect

The effect of friction occurs when two surfaces move against each other and come into contact.
Friction can be beneficial in some situations, such as when using brakes to stop a car, but it can be
harmful in others, such as wear and tear on moving parts in machinery and equipment. The effect of
friction can lead to the generation of heat, vibration and wear, and these effects may be positive or
negative depending on the context and circumstances.

The effect of friction can be widespread and affects many aspects of daily and industrial life. Here
are some points that highlight the effect of friction:

1. Increased energy consumption: Friction leads to a loss of energy when objects move, which
requires adding additional energy to overcome the force of friction. This leads to increased energy
consumption in daily operations such as driving vehicles or operating machinery.

2. Heat generation: Friction can cause a rise in temperature between surfaces in contact, resulting
in heat generation. This effect can be useful in applications such as generating electricity through the
movement of objects.

3. Surface abrasion: Constant friction may cause surface abrasion of objects, causing them to
deteriorate over time. This effect can affect the life of materials and devices.

4. Design of equipment and machinery: The effect of friction must be taken into account when
designing equipment and machinery, as the friction force must be reduced to increase performance
efficiency and reduce wear.

5. Applications in technology: Understanding the effect of friction is used to develop technologies

and materials that reduce the force of friction, such as the use of specialized lubricants and the design
of smooth surfaces.

Overall, the effect of friction shows how this phenomenon can affect the performance and design of
objects and systems in various fields.

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Reducing friction

Reducing friction in physics can be achieved through various methods:

1. Lubrication: Applying a lubricant, such as oil or grease, between surfaces can reduce friction by
providing a slippery layer that allows objects to slide more easily past each other.
2. Smoothing Surfaces: Polishing or smoothing the surfaces in contact can reduce irregularities that
cause friction, leading to smoother movement.
3. Using Ball Bearings: Ball bearings reduce friction by replacing sliding friction with rolling
friction, allowing objects to move more smoothly.
4. Minimizing Contact Area: Reducing the surface area in contact between two objects can reduce
friction. For example, using wheels instead of dragging objects along a surface can reduce friction.
5. Reducing Force: Friction is directly proportional to the force pressing the surfaces together. By
reducing the force, such as by using lighter materials or reducing the weight of objects, friction can
be minimized.
6. Using Materials with Low Coefficients of Friction: Certain materials have naturally low
coefficients of friction, such as Teflon or graphite. Using these materials in applications where low
friction is desired can be effective.
7. Air Cushions: Air cushions or air bearings can be used to create a thin layer of air between
surfaces, reducing friction and allowing objects to move more easily.
8. Magnetic Levitation: Using magnetic fields to levitate objects can eliminate contact between
surfaces, thereby reducing friction to almost zero.
9. Hydrophobic Coatings: Applying hydrophobic coatings to surfaces can reduce friction by
repelling water molecules and creating a smoother surface for objects to move across.
10. Polymers: Utilizing polymers with low coefficients of friction, such as polyethylene or nylon,
can help reduce friction in mechanical systems.
11. Microscopic Surface Treatments: Employing techniques like micro-texturing or nano-coatings
can alter surface properties at a microscopic level, reducing friction and enhancing lubrication.
12. Electrostatic Levitation: Similar to magnetic levitation, electrostatic levitation can be used to
suspend objects without physical contact, effectively eliminating friction.
13. Ultrasonic Levitation: Using ultrasonic waves to suspend objects in mid-air can minimize
friction by preventing direct contact between surfaces.
14. Aerodynamic Design: Designing objects with streamlined shapes can reduce air resistance,
which indirectly decreases friction when moving through a fluid medium like air or water.
15. Vacuum Environment: In some cases, operating in a vacuum environment can reduce friction
by eliminating air resistance and other factors that contribute to surface interactions.

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Friction Applications

1- Motion control:
• Braking: Friction is used in the braking systems of cars, bicycles, and other vehicles to stop or slow
them down. • Tires: Car, bicycle and other vehicle tires are made with rough materials to increase
friction with the road, which helps control their movement.

2- Energy transfer:
• Gears: Gears are used to transmit power between the machine's engine and its various parts. The
action of gears depends on the friction between their teeth. • Belts: Belts are used to transmit power
between the machine's engine and its various parts. The work of belts depends on the friction
between their surface and the surface of the pulleys around which they are wound.

3- Security:
• Handles: The handles of various tools are made with rough materials to increase friction with the
hand, which helps prevent slippage. • Rugs: Rugs are used on floors to prevent slipping, especially in
wet areas. • Safety Shoes: Safety shoes are made with rough materials to increase traction with the
ground, which helps prevent slipping.

4- Industry:
• Lubrication: Lubrication is used to reduce friction between moving parts in machines, which helps
increase their efficiency and lifespan. • Paint: Paint is used on surfaces to reduce friction between
them, making them easier to clean. • Shaping: Friction is used to shape some materials, such as
metals and plastics.

5- Daily life:
Walking: Walking depends on the friction between the feet and the ground.

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In brief, friction is a natural phenomenon that occurs when two surfaces come into contact and are
influenced by forces of adhesion and abrasion. Reducing friction is crucial in engineering and
technology fields as it enhances the efficiency of mechanical systems and reduces energy
consumption. Through the use of low-wear materials, effective lubrication, proper surface design,
dry lubrication techniques, and surface reduction techniques, effective friction reduction can be
achieved. Additionally, employing advanced techniques such as vibration control and surface
temperature management can effectively contribute to friction reduction. Achieving friction
reduction contributes to increasing the lifespan of mechanical parts, saving energy, and improving
the efficiency of devices and systems.

References
 Dekker Mechanical Engineering) Peter J. Blau - Friction Science and Technology_ From
Concepts to Applications, -CRC Press (2008)
 Professor Dr. Valentin L. Popov (auth.) - Contact Mechanics and Friction_ Physical
Principles and Applications (2010, Springer)
 Kenneth C Ludema - Friction Wear Lubrication A Textbook in Tribology-CRC-Press (1996)
 https://www.ejaba.com
 https://www.toppr.com/ask/question/mention-the-methods-used-to-decrease-friction/
 https://byjus.com/question-answer/what-are-the-methods-of-reducing-friction-explain/