CLASS VIII

FRICTION
Question 1:
You spill a bucket of soapy water on a marble floor
accidentally. Would it make it easier or more
difficult for you to walk on the floor? Why?

ANSWER:
We are able to walk because of the friction present
between our feet and the ground. In order to walk,
we push the ground in the backward direction with
our feet. The force of friction pushes it in the
forward direction and allows us to walk. The force
of friction between the ground and feet decreases
when there is soapy water spilled on the floor.
Hence, it becomes difficult to walk on the soapy
floor.
Question 2:
Explain why sliding friction is less than static
friction.
ANSWER:
Friction comes into play when irregularities present
in the surfaces of two objects in contact get
interlocked with each other. In sliding, the time
given for interlocking is very small. Hence,
interlocking is not strong. Therefore, less force is
required to overcome this interlocking. Because of
this reason, sliding friction is less than static friction.

Question 3:
Explain why objects moving in fluids must have
special shapes.
ANSWER:
When a body moves through a fluid, it experiences
an opposing force which tries to oppose its motion
through the fluid. This opposing force is known as
the drag force. This frictional force depends on the
shape of the body. By giving objects a special shape,
the force of friction acting on it can be minimized.
Hence, it becomes easier for the body to move
through the fluid.

Question 4:
What is friction?
ANSWER:
Friction is a force that resists the relative motion
between two surfaces in contact. It is a contact
force.

Question 5:
On what principle do ball bearings work?
ANSWER:
A ball bearing works on the principle that rolling
friction is less than sliding friction. It helps in
reducing friction between two surfaces in contact
and maintaining separation between the bearing
races, thereby allowing minimal surface contact
between two surfaces.
Question 6:
What causes friction between two surfaces in
contact?
ANSWER:
Friction is caused by the interlocking of irregularities
of the two surfaces in contact with each other .The
interlocking of irregularities of the two surfaces
opposes the motion of one object over the other
and gives rise to force of friction.

Question 7:
What is 'streamlining'? How is it useful?
ANSWER:
Streamlining is a phenomenon through which
objects are designed in such a way so as to reduce
fluid friction. Take the example of aeroplanes. They
have a streamlined shape to reduce air friction
(drag) that it encounters when moving at great
speed .Without this streamlining, the air resistance
would be much greater.
Question 8:
Explain four methods by which friction between
two solid surfaces in contact can be reduced.
ANSWER:

Following are the methods by which friction

between two solid surfaces in contact can be
reduced:
1) Lubrication - It helps in reducing roughness,
which decreases friction.
2) Ball Bearings - Since rolling friction is less than
sliding friction, ball bearings help in maintaining
minimal surface of contact between two surfaces in
motion.
3) Polishing - Smooth surfaces or bearings work
better than the rough ones.
4) By using Wheels to move the objects
CHAPTER ENDED