Lesson 6.

Friction

General Physics 1/2

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Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Can you describe the texture of the image below?

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 There is a low probability that you will slip if a
surface is rough. This is because rough surfaces
can exert greater friction than smooth ones.
Friction has its own application that can be
traced back in old ages.

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The discovery of fire
by rubbing flint and
pyrite is arguably the
most fundamental
application of the
force of friction which
we benefit until today.
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What are the applications of
friction?

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 Friction

For objects sliding on a

surface, the surface
exerts a contact force on
that object, as shown. The
components of this
contact force are both
perpendicular and
parallel to the surface.
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 Friction

● Normal force is
the perpendicular
component vector
relative to the surface.

● corresponds to
frictional force. It is
always parallel but
opposite to the
motion. 7
Remember

● Although almost unattainable,

frictional force is zero if the surface is
frictionless, and the only force
available will be the normal force.

● In this discussion, we will treat a

surface as “frictionless” if the friction
is too small that it can be negligible.
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 Friction

Kinetic Friction

● Kinetic friction force is the type of friction exerted on an

object when it is sliding on a surface, such that the two
surfaces are moving with respect to each other.

● It is denoted by .

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 Friction

Kinetic Friction
● The magnitude of is directly proportional to the
normal force , and their relation is mathematically
expressed as follows:

● Where:
is the coefficient of kinetic friction
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 Friction

Coefficient of Kinetic Friction

The coefficient of kinetic friction , (pronounced

mu-sʌb-k) is determined by dividing the magnitudes of
two forces.

It is a pure number and has no units.

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 Friction

Static Friction

● Static friction is the second type of friction that occurs

when there is no relative motion between two surfaces.

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 Friction

Static Friction
● For two surfaces, the value of static friction reaches its
maximum value depending on the normal force.
● Their proportionality factor is the coefficient of static
friction.
● In general, the equation can be stated as:

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 Friction

Static vs. Kinetic Friction

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What are the differences
between static and kinetic
friction?

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How do we calculate the kinetic
and static friction forces acting
on an object?

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 Fluid Resistance

● One important application of friction is in the concept

called fluid resistance, or the force that a fluid exerts on
an object moving through it.

● We note that fluids, i.e., liquids and gases, are anything

that can flow from one place to another.

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 Fluid Resistance

Viscosity
● The resistance of a fluid to flow is
known as viscosity.

● If the fluid is sticky and thick, then

the fluid is viscous.

Honey is an example of a
viscous fluid.
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Remember

● Fluid resistance exerts a force that is

in the opposite direction of the
object’s velocity relative to the fluid.

● The magnitude of the force of the

fluid resistance increases as the
object’s speed through the fluid
does.
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How does fluid resistance affect
the motion of an object?

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Friction refers to the object’s resistance to motion

relative to the surface it is sliding against.
● The component vector parallel to the surface and
perpendicular to the normal force is the friction
force.
● Kinetic friction force is the type of friction exerted
on an object when it is sliding on a surface, such
that the two surfaces are moving with respect to
each other. It is denoted by . 21
 Let’s Sum It Up!

● The coefficient of kinetic friction, (pronounced

mu-sʌb-k) is determined by dividing the
magnitudes of two forces, thus, it is a pure
number and has no units.
● Static friction is the second type of friction that
occurs when there is no relative motion between
two surfaces.
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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● For two surfaces, the value of static friction

reaches its maximum value depending on
the normal force, i.e., is directly
proportional to . Their proportionality factor
is the coefficient of static friction.

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● One important application of friction is in the

concept called fluid resistance, or the force that a
fluid exerts on an object moving through it.

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 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use this formula to

Kinetic Friction
solve the kinetic
Force where
friction force exerted
● is the magnitude of
on an object.
kinetic friction force;
● is the coefficient of
kinetic friction; and
● is the magnitude of
the normal force

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 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use this formula to

Static Friction
solve for the
Force where
magnitude of the
● is the magnitude of
static friction force.
the static friction force;
● is the coefficient of
static friction; and
● is the magnitude of
the normal force

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