THE COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
EM 560 – TRIBOLOGY

Instructions
Submit questions marked by*. Due date: 13/03/2023

1. Why similar materials have higher coefficient of friction compared to dissimilar

materials? (Hint: look at what happens at atomic level) [10 marks]
2. Why only spherical and conical asperity surfaces are considered in explaining the
friction due to ploughing effect? Which surface provide better estimation and why?
3. *What are similarities and differences between adhesive, abrasive and “junction
growth” friction theories? [10 marks]
4. *Between adhesion and abrasion which is more prevalent, and which causes more
damage to the surface? [4 marks]
5. Why only spherical and conical asperity surfaces are considered in explaining the
friction due to ploughing effect? Which surface provide better estimation and why?
6. What is junction growth theory of friction? Is it favourable or unfavourable?
7. To explain ploughing component of friction, conical and spherical shapes of asperities
were considered. What if (half cone angle) = 0 or R (radius of hemisphere) = 0? A)
8. *Friction is the resistance to motion which exists when a dry solid object is moved
tangentially with respect to the surface of another which it touches or when an
attempt is made to produce such motion. Discuss various theories of friction and
State Amonton’s laws of friction. Explain why non-metals are perceived to obey the
laws of sliding friction. [20 marks]
9. To reduce junction growth, it is suggested to use contamination (i.e., oxide) layer, but
would not this contamination damage the surface once they get detached from the
surface?
10. *Explain stick-slip phenomenon in friction. [6 marks]
11. Explain the merits and demerits of various theories of friction.
12. Explain the structural differences between rolling and sliding friction.
13. Explain the laws of rolling friction.