LECTURE - 2 : CLASS VIII : SCIENCE : CHAPTER 12 : FRICTION

CLASS VIII   |    SCIENCE    |    CHAPTER 12

      Notes prepared by Subhankar Karmakar

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• FACTORS AFFECTING FRICTION:

It has been found that the friction between two surfaces depends on two factors:

(i) the nature of the two surfaces (smoothness or roughness of the two surfaces)

(ii) the force with which two surfaces are pressed together.

• 1. Dependence of friction on the nature of two surfaces:

Friction depends on the smoothness or roughness of the two surfaces which are in contact with each other. When the two surfaces in contact are smooth, then the friction between them will be small. As the degree of roughness of the two surfaces in contact increases, the friction also increases. 

• 2. Dependence of friction on the forces with which two surfaces are placed together.

The friction between two surfaces depends on the force with which the two surfaces are pressed together. Greater the weight of an object which moves over another surface, more is the force with which the two surfaces are pressed together and greater will be the friction between them. 

• Types of friction:

There are three types of friction. 

• 1. Static friction
• 2. Sliding friction and
• 3. Rolling friction

• 1. Static friction: 

The maximum frictional force present between two any two objects when one object just tends to move or slip over the surface of the other object, is called static friction. In the case of static friction, the object is actually not moving or sliding over the other object, it only takes to move or slide. It is the maximum frictional force. 

• 2. Sliding friction:

the frictional force present when one object moves slowly or slides over the surface of another object is known as sliding friction. Is the sliding friction is smaller than the static friction, it is easier to keep an object moving which is already in motion than to move the same object from rest or stationary position. Sliding friction is smaller than the static friction. 

• Why does sliding friction is smaller than the static friction?

When an object has already started moving or sliding the irregularities on its surface do not get enough time to lock into the irregularities on the surface of the other object completely. Since the interlocking of the two surfaces is less when an object has already started moving, therefore, the sliding friction is smaller than the static friction. 

• 3. Rolling friction:

when an object like a wheel rolls over the surface of another object the resistance to its motion is called rolling friction. Therefore it is always easier to roll than to slide an object over another object. Show rolling friction is much less than the sliding friction. Rolling reduces friction.

heavy machines can be easily move from one place to another by placing round logs of wood under them and then pushing with the force of hands. 

• Maximum Friction : Static Friction 
• Minimum Friction : Rolling Friction

Static friction > sliding friction > rolling friction.