Introduction to the 3 types of Friction

Friction may be defined as the self adjusting force which comes into play tangentially between two surfaces so as to oppose the relative motion between them. However, if the applied force is large enough and is applied constantly the relative motion can take place under friction, with an acceleration produced by the net force. Friction is of three types, namely Static friction, Dynamic or Kinetic friction and Rolling friction. Static Friction: Consider a block 'B' which is resting on a horizontal table. Let a small pan be attached to the block by means of a horizontal thread passing over a smooth frictionless pulley. Initially when weight in the pan is zero, the body does not move because the applied force due to the weight in the pan is zero, the body does not move because the applied force due to the weight of the pan becomes equal and opposite to the force of friction between the table and the body. When the weight in the pan is increased the body may still be static. The body does not move because the resultant force on the body is zero. The frictional force is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the applied force 'P' and is tangential between the two surfaces. This resistance encountered by a body in static condition while tending to move under the action of an external force is called static friction (f). Static friction is equal and opposite to the applied force.

When the applied force (P) is increased the frictional force also increases equally until the body starts moving. When it is about to slide on the table, the static friction reaches a maximum value. Any further increase in the applied force makes the body slide on the table. The maximum value of static friction is called Limiting friction.

3 Types of Friction : Dynamic Friction or Kinetic Friction

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When the weight in the pan is gradually increased, for a particular value of the weight, the body starts moving. The applied force overcomes the limiting (static) friction and sets the body into motion. In this condition motion of the body is resisted by another friction called dynamic friction or kinetic friction. The resistance encountered by a sliding body on a surface is known as kinetic friction or dynamic friction or sliding friction. The body moves with acceleration due to the resultant force on it. If the body slides with uniform velocity (a = 0) the resultant force on the body should be equal to zero. In other words the applied force required to keep the

body moving with uniform velocity under friction, is numerically equal to the value of kinetic friction.

3 Types of Friction : Rolling Friction

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If a wheel or a cylinder or a spherical body like a marble rolls on a horizontal surface, the speed of rolling gradually decreases and it finally stops. The resistance encountered by a rolling body on the surface is known as Rolling friction. If the centre of mass of a roller to roll at a constant speed on a rough horizontal surface , an applied force parallel to the surface is necessary. The applied force could be in any direction, but it should have a component parallel to the surface. This component of the applied force just sufficient to keep the body rolling with constant speed is numerically equal to the rolling friction . Rolling friction is some what complex in origin. When a round body is on a surface due to its own weight, it slightly gets flattened at the point of contact. When this flattened area element tends to slide against the surface the interlocking of the surfaces offers resistance causing friction. Consequently the area element is lifted up bringing the neighbouring points on the body in contact with the surface, This process is continued and the rolling is affected. The smaller the area of the flattened element in contact, the smaller will be the rolling friction. Thus the static friction at the flattened area of contact itself manifests as rolling friction.