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In real life an object which is moving over a horizontal surface does not continue with constant
velocity when the accelerating force is removed. Instead the object slows down and eventually
stops. The deceleration is caused by a frictional force between the object and the surface on
which it travels. A frictional force always acts to oppose the motion of an object over a surface
and is an example of a contact force.
When we try to slide one object over another, we find that there is a force which opposes the
motion. This force is called friction.
Whenever there is relative motion of two surfaces in contact, there is frictional resistance. When
a body moves over another, it has to overcome friction. This needs energy. Hence, some
energy is always wasted in overcoming friction.
How is friction helpful?
From what has been discussed above, it may appear that if there were no friction, our life would
have been much more easier and we would not have to spend energy in overcoming the
frictional resistance. This is not true. As a matter of fact, it is only because of friction that we are
able to move around. Try to run on a very smooth surface and see what happens. As we step
forward, friction opposes the forward force, so that the foot does not slip forward.


When we raise our heel again to take another forward pace, the friction prevents the front part
of the shoe moving back. On account of the friction between the ground and the rubber type of a
bicycle, the latter can move forward. In the absence of friction between the wheels and ground,
the wheels are unable to roll. This is why the wheels of bicycle and other vehicles are treaded to
increase friction. To stop the bicycle, we use the opposing frictional force between the brake
blocks and the wheel rim. When the driver applies the brakes of an automobile, the friction of
the brake lining on the brake drum slows down the wheels and enable him to bring the car to a
stop. Friction holds a screw in wood. It also enables us to use nails to fix boards together. If
friction were eliminated, dishes would slide off the table unless the table were perfectly level.
Thus without friction, our life would have been, in reality, very inconvenient.
Types of Friction
You must have noticed that when you have to slide a heavy box, it is easy to slide it once the
box has started sliding. You may also have noticed that it is much more easy to roll a heavy
drum than to slide it. This is because there are three types of friction.p
They are:p
O the Static Friction
O the Kinetic or Dynamic Friction, and
O the Rolling Friction.
The friction that exists between the two surfaces in contact when there is no relative motion
between them is called static friction.
The force which makes the surface just start to slide over another, is called limiting friction.p
The friction that exists between a surface sliding on another surface is called kinetic or dynamic
friction.p
When a body rolls on the surface of another, the friction that exists between the surfaces is
known as rolling friction.p
In the example described above, when the box just starts moving, the friction is the static
friction. Once it has started moving, the friction that exists is the sliding friction. In the case when
the drum is rolling on the surface, the friction is the rolling friction. Experimentally, it has been
proved thatp
Static friction > Kinetic or Dynamic friction > Rolling frictionp

Laws of Frictionp
O Friction always acts in such a direction that it opposes the motion. Force of friction is directly
proportional to normal reaction.
O Until motion takes place, the static friction adjusts itself so as to be equal to the force tending
to produce motion.
O In any given case, there is a limiting value to the frictional force.
O Limiting friction is independent of the area of contact.
O Limiting friction is directly proportional to the normal reaction.
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