CHAPTER - V

FRICTION
 Friction 1 FRICTION

Friction is defined as the contact resistance exerted by

one body upon another body when one body moves or
tends to move past another body. This force which opposes
the movement or tendency of movement is known as
frictional resistance or friction. Friction is due to the
resistance offered by minute projections at the contact
surfaces. Hence friction is the retarding force, always
opposite to the direction of motion. Friction has both
advantages & disadvantages.
Disadvantages ---- Power loss, wear and tear etc.
Advantages ---- Brakes, traction for vehicles etc.
 Friction 2

F (Friction)
N Hills & Vales Magnified Surface

Frictional resistance is dependent on the amount of wedging

action between the hills and vales of contact surfaces. The
wedging action is dependent on the normal reaction N.
 Friction 3

Frictional resistance has the remarkable property of

adjusting itself in magnitude of force producing or tending
to produce the motion so that the motion is prevented.

When P = 0, F = 0 block under equilibrium

When P increases, F also increases proportionately to

maintain equilibrium. However there is a limit beyond
which the magnitude of this friction cannot increase.
 Friction 4

When the block is on the verge of motion(motion of the

block is impending) F attains maximum possible value,
which is termed as Limiting Friction. When the applied
force is less than the limiting friction, the body remains at
rest and such frictional resistance is called the static friction.

Further if P is increased, the value of F decreases rapidly

and then remains fairly a constant thereafter. However at
high speeds it tends to decrease. This frictional resistance
experienced by the body while in motion is known as
Dynamic friction OR Kinetic Friction.
 Friction 5

Sliding friction friction experienced

when a body slides over another
Dynamic Friction surface.
Rolling friction friction experienced
by a body when it rolls over a surface.
 Friction 6

FN
W
Fmax = N
P
Where Fmax = Limiting Friction

Fmax N= Normal Reaction between the

contact surfaces
(limiting friction)
=Coefficient of friction
R
N
= Fmax
N

Note : Static friction varies from zero to a maximum value. Dynamic

friction is fairly a constant.
 Friction 7 Angle of Friction
The angle between N & R W
depends on the value of F. This
angle , between the resultant P
R and the normal reaction N is
termed as angle of friction. As
Fmax
F increases, also increases
(limiting friction)
and will reach to a maximum
value of when F is Fmax
R
(limiting friction) N

i.e. tan = (Fmax )/N =

Angle is known as Angle of limiting Friction.

 Friction 8

Angle of limiting friction is defined as the angle between the

resultant reaction (of limiting friction and normal reaction)
and the normal to the plane on which the motion of the body
is impending.

Angle of repose

When granular material is heaped, there exists a limit for the

inclination of the surface. Beyond that angle, the grains start
rolling down. This limiting angle upto which the grains
repose (sleep) is called the angle of repose of the granular
material.
Friction 9

Significance of Angle of repose:

The angle that an inclined plane makes with
the horizontal, when the body supported on the
plane is on the verge of motion due to its self -
weight is equal to the angle of repose.
Angle of repose is numerically equal to
Angle of limiting friction
 Friction 10 Laws of dry friction
1. The magnitude of limiting friction bears a constant ratio
to the normal reaction between the two surfaces.
(Experimentally proved)

2. The force of friction is independent of the area of

contact
between the two surfaces.

3. For low velocities the total amount of friction that can

be developed is practically independent of velocity.
It is less than the frictional force corresponding
to impending motion.
 Friction 11 FRICTION IN BELT/ ROPE DRIVES
The transmission of power by means of belts or rope drives
is possible only because of friction between the wheels and
the belt. Tension in the belt is more on the side it is pulled
and less on the other side. Accordingly they are called as
tight side and slack side.

T2 (Tight side)
Pull
T1 (Slack side)
W
 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TIGHTSIDE AND
Friction 12 SLACKSIDE FORCES IN A ROPE

A load W is being pulled by a force P over a fixed drum. Let the force
on tight side be T2 and on slack side be T1. (T2>T1 because of
frictional force between drum and the rope). Let be the angle of
contact in radians between rope and the drum. Consider an elemental
length of rope as shown. Let T be the force on slack side and T+dT
on tight side. There will be normal reaction N on the rope in the radial
direction and frictional force F= N in the tangential direction.

F d/2
T
T+dT N F
d

w T2 T1
P
 Friction 13

Forces in radial direction = 0

N-T Sin d/2 (T+dT)Sin d/2 = 0 { Sin d/2 = d/2 as d is small }
N-T d/2- (T+dT) d/2 = 0 i.e. N = ( T+dT/2) d ------(1)
We know that F = N F = ( T+dT/2) d-----(2)

Forces in tangential direction = 0

(T+dT) Cos d/2 = F + T Cos d/2 { Cos d/2 = 1 as d is small }
T + dT = F + T i.e. dT = F------(3)
From (2) & (3) dT = ( T+dT/2) d
Neglecting small quantity of higher order, dT = T d
dT/T = d
 Friction 14

Integrating both sides,

T2
dT/T = d
T 0
1

T2
(log T) = ()
T 0
1

Log (T2/T1) =

T2/ T1 = e where T = Force on tightside

2
T = Force on slackside
1
= Angle of contact in radians
 Friction 15 FRICTION-Numerical Problems
(1) If coefficient of friction is 0.20 between the contact surfaces
a) Find the force P just to cause motion to impend up the plane
b) Find the force P just to prevent motion down the plane
c) Determine the magnitude and direction of the friction
if P = 80N.

200N

P 30
 Friction 16

a) Imp. motion Y +ve X + ve

200N

30
60

F1 = N1 = 0.20N1
P 30
P

N1
Fy = 0
N1 200 Sin60 = 0 N1= 173.2 N
F1 = 0.20N1 = 0.20 173.20 = 34.64N
Fx = 0
P 200Cos60 F1 = 0 P = 134.64 N
 Friction 17

b) Y +ve X + ve

30
60

F1 = 0.20N1 N1=173.2

Fx = 0
P 200Cos60 + 0.20 173.2 = 0 P = 65.36 N
 Friction 18

C) Block will be under rest for the value of P between

134.64 & 65.36N..
Y +ve X + ve
Given, P = 80N

60

Imp. motion

P=80
F1 N1
Fx = 0
80 200Cos60 + F1 = 0 F1 = 20 N
 Friction 19

2) Compute the magnitude of P that will cause the motion

to impend up the plane. Coefficient of friction, = 0.20

200N 200N
30

F1 = 0.20N1
P P
30
R
N1

tan = = 0.20
= 11.3
 Friction 20

200N

41.3
R
P 48.70 200

30 + = 41.30 48.7

R P

200/Sin48.70 = P/ Sin41.3 P = 176N

 Friction21

3) Block A weighing 1000N rests over block B of weight

2000N as shown in fig. Block A is tied to the wall with a
horizontal string. If coefficient of friction between A & B is
0.25 and between B and the floor is 0.33, what should be the
value of P just to move the block B ?

A
P
B
 Friction22

RELATIVE FBD of Block A

MOTION FBD of Block B
Y +ve Imp. motion
1000N
F1 N1=1000
T
A 2000
X +ve B P

F1 N1 F2
N2
Block A: Fy = 0 N1 - 1000 = 0
N1 = 1000 N
F1 = 1 N1
= 0.25 1000
= 250 N
Fx = 0
F T = 0 T= 250 N
 Friction23

FBD of Block B
Imp. motion
Y +ve
F1 N1=1000

2000 P
B
X +ve

F2
N2
Block A: Fy = 0 N2 - N1 - 2000 = 0
N2 - 1000 -2000 = 0
N2 = 3000 N
Fx = 0 P - F1 -F2 = 0
P- 250 - 0.33 N2 = 0
P - 250 -0.33 3000 = 0
P = 1250 N
 Friction24

4) The bodies shown in the following figure are separated by

an uniform strut weighing 100N which is attached to the
bodies with frictionless pins. Coefficient of friction under
each body is 0.30. Determine the force P that will just start
the system rightward. Weight of block A= 400 N, B= 200N

FBD of the Strut

tan = 0.30
= 16.7 B 100 N
T

P
A 30 50 N
45
T
100/2 = 50 N
 Friction25
FBD of B

200+50
250
R
61.7
250
58.3
F2 30 60
30
61.7 R T
60
T 16.70 T 45+16.70
45 R
N2

250/Sin58.3 = T/Sin61.70
T = 258.72N
 Friction26

FBD of A
400+50 Y +ve

P T = 258.72
30
X +ve

F1 = 0.30N1
N1

Fy = 0 N1 - 450 - 258.72Sin30 = 0
N1 = 579.36N
Fx = 0 P - F1- 258.72Cos30 = 0
P-0.30 579.36-258.72cos30=0
P- 173.81- 224.06=0
P = 397.87 N
 Friction27

5) What horizontal force P is required on the wedges B and

C just to raise the weight 1000N resting on A. Angle of limiting
friction between all contact surfaces is 10o.

A
P 15 15 P
B C
 Friction28

FBD of A
1000N 1000N
R2
25
1000N 130
F1 F2 25
R1
R1 R2 10+15
10 25
10 15 R2
N2 R1 =25
N1 15

1000/Sin130 = R1/ Sin25 = R2/ Sin25

R1 = R2 = 551.69N
 Friction29 FBD of B
N1
15
10 R = 551.69
1
R1=551.69
P F1
25 R3
35
P 65
65 80
80
F3
P
R3 10
10 R3
N3

P/Sin35 = 551.69/ Sin80

P = 321.32N
Note: FBD of Block (C) can also be considered. No need to
consider the FBD of both the blocks (B) & (C).
 Friction30

6) Determine the force P required just to start the wedge

A shown in the figure. Angle of limiting friction between all
contact surfaces is 15.
P
= 15
2000N

500N
B
 Friction 31

FBD of B = 15 Y +ve

2000N tan =
F2 = 0.27N2 = 0.27
500 N Fx = 0 X +ve

N2 N2 - 500- 0.27N1 = 0
N2 = 500 + 0.27N1 ---------(1)
F1 = 0.27N1
Fy = 0
N1 N1- 2000 - 0.27N2 = 0
0.27N2 = N1 -2000
N2= 3.70N1 -7407.41 ------(2)
From (1) & (2)
500 + 0.27N1 = 3.70N1 7407.41
3.43N1 = 7907.41 N2=1122.45N
N = 2305.37 N
 Friction 32

FBD of Wedge A

P
R2= 1122.452 + 303.062
= 1162.64
P R2=1162.64
N2=1122.45

15
=15 75 45
R2=1162.64
N3 15 P
F3 F2=0.27N2 30 15 60 R3
R3
=303.06
60 75
R3 R2=1162.64
P/Sin45
= 1162.64/ Sin60
P = 949.29N
 Friction 33

7) Determine the minimum value of P to prevent the blocks

from slipping. Neglect the weights of the link rods. Co-
efficient of friction for all contact surfaces is 0.25.Find the
frictional force under the block B and comment on the result.

WA= WB=2000N
A
Pin Joint
Pin Joints
30 P
C
60
B
 Friction 34

FBD of A Fx = 0
2000 N1 - T1 Cos30= 0
N1 = T1 Cos30 = 0.866T1-------(1)
N1

30
T1 Fy = 0
- 2000 + F1 + T1Sin30 = 0
F1=0.25 N1
-2000 +0.25N1 + 0.5T1= 0------(2)
Y +ve

From (1) & (2)

-2000 + 0.25(0.866T1 )+ 0.5T1 = 0
X +ve
T1 = 2791.32 N
 Friction 35

Joint (C)

T1 = 2791.32
T2 T1
30 P 90
60 30
60
P
P/Sin90 = 2791.32/Sin60
T2 = T2/Sin30
P=3223.14 N
T2 = 1611.57N
 Friction 36

FBD of B Fy = 0
2000 T2=1611.57 N - 2000 1611.57Sin60 = 0
2
60
N2 =3395.60 Y +ve

Fx = 0
X +ve
F2 F2 1611.57Cos60 = 0
F2 = 805.79 N (Friction Developed
N2
under block B)

Limiting friction = N2 = 0.25 x 3395.60 = 848.92N

Limiting friction is greater than Friction developed.
Hence the block B is at rest.
 Friction 37

8) An uniform ladder of length 7m rests against a vertical

wall with which it makes an angle of 45o. Coefficient of
friction between the ladder and the wall is 1/3 and between
ladder and the floor is 1/2. If a person whose weight is half
that of the ladder ascends it, how high will he be when the
Y +ve
ladder just slips?
Fx=0 B NB

FA-NB=0 0.5NA-NB=0 X +ve

7m
a
FB
NB=0.5NA--------(1)
Fy=0 0.5W
NA-W-0.5W+FB=0 3.5m W 7sin45
A 45
NA+0.33NB=1.5W------(2) FA 7cos45
NA
 Friction 38

From (1) & (2)

NA+0.33(0.5NA)=1.5W
NA=1.29W
NB=0.64W

+ ve moment
MB=0
(FA 7sin45)-(NA 7cos45)+(W 3.5cos45)+(0.5W
acos45)=0
a = 2m from the top
 Friction 39

9) An uniform ladder 3m in length and weighing 180N is

placed against a wall with its end A at the floor and the
other end B on the wall, ladder AB making 60 with the
floor. Coefficient of friction between the wall and ladder
is 0.25 and between floor and ladder is 0.35.In addition to
the self weight,the ladder has to support a person
weighing 900N at its top B. To prevent slipping, a force P
is applied horizontally at A at the level of the floor. Find
the minimum force P required for this condition. Find
also the minimum angle at which the above ladder with
the person at the top should be placed to prevent slipping
without the horizontal force P.
 Friction 40

a) When = 60 Y +ve

Fx = 0, FA+P-NB=0
0.35NA+P-NB=0
X +ve
NB=P+0.35NA---------(1)
Fy=0, NA-180-900+FB=0 900N
NA+0.25NB=1080----(2) B N
B
MB=0
0.35NA 3sin60+P 3sin60+180 x 3m FB
1.5cos60 -NA 3cos60=0--------(3)
From(1),(2)&(3) NB=499.16N 1.5m
3sin
A
NA=955.21N 180 N
P=164.80N FA 3cos
N
Friction 41

(b) Force P is removed, =? Y +ve

Fx=0
X +ve
FA-NB=0 0.35NA-NB=0 0.35NA=NB---(1)
Fy=0
NA-180-900+FB=0 NA+0.25NB=1080-----(2)
MB=0
0.35NA 3sin+180 1.5cos-NA 3cos=0----(3)
From(1), (2) &(3)
=68.95
 Friction 42

10) A flexible cable which supports a load of 981 N is passed over

a fixed circular drum and subjected to a force P to maintain
equilibrium. Coefficient of friction between the cable and the
drum is 0.30.
(a)For = 0, determine the maximum and minimum value of
P which may have to be applied in order not to raise or
lower the load.

(b)For P = 500N, determine the minimum value which the

angle may have such that the load begins to slip.

981N
 Friction 43

(a) T2/T1 = e
= 0, angle of contact = 90 = /2 P
radians.
981N
For impending motion (upward)
T2 = Pmax T1 = 981 N
Pmax/981= e 0.3/2 Pmax=1572 N

For impending motion (down ward)

T2 = 981N T1 = Pmin
981/Pmin= e0.3/2 Pmin=612N

(b) P = 500 N P = T1 T2 = 981 N

981/500=e0..3
=2.247radians=128.7
= -90= 38.7
 Friction 44

11) A cord is wrapped thrice round a capstan A and twice

round a capstan B. Finally the cord goes over a barrel and
supports a weight of 40N. What force P is required to
maintain this load? Take coefficient of friction = 0.1 for all
contact surfaces. A B
Total angle = 5 360 + 90
P
= 10.5 radians
40 > P T2 = 40, T1 = P
40N
T2/T1= e 40/P = e 0.1(10.5)
P =1.477N
 Friction 45 EXERCISE PROBLEMS

1 ) For the block shown in fig., determine the smallest

force P required
a) to start the block up the plane
b) to prevent the block moving down the plane.

Take = 0.20
[Ans.: (a) Pmin = 59.2N (b) Pmin = 23.7N = 11.3o]
P

100N
25
 Friction 46

2) A block of weight 2000 N is attached to a cord

passing over a frictionless pulley and supporting a
weight of 800N as shown in fig. If between the block
and the plane is 0.35, determine the unknown force P
for impending motion
(a) to the right
(b) to the left
[Ans.: (a) P = 132.8N (b) P = 1252N]

30 800N
2000N
P
 Friction 47

3) Determine value of angle to cause the motion of

500N block to impend down the plane, if for all
contact surfaces is 0.30.

[Ans.: = 28.4]

200N

500N

=?
 Friction 48

4) In Figure, between rope and the fixed drum and

between all contact surfaces is 0.20. Determine the
minimum weight W to prevent the downward motion
of the 1000N body.

[Ans. : T1 = 0.76W, T2 = 1.424W, W = 253N]

W
1000N
3
4
 Friction 49

5) A horizontal bar 10m long and of negligible weight

rests on rough inclines as shown in fig. If angle of
friction is 15o, how close to B may the 200N force be
applied before the motion impends.

[Ans.: x = 3.5m]

100N 200N
X=?
2m
A B

30 60
 Friction 50

6) Determine the vertical force P required to drive the

wedge B downwards in the arrangements shown in fig.
Angle of friction for all contact surfaces is 12o.

[Ans.: P = 328.42N]
P

1600N
B
20
A
 Friction 51

7) Determine the force P which is necessary to start the

wedge to raise the block A weighing 1000N. Self
weight of the wedge may be ignored. Take angle of
friction, = 15o for all contact surfaces.

[Ans.: P = 1192N]

20
P
wedge
 Friction 52

8) A ladder of weight 200N, 6m long is supported as shown

in fig. If between the floor and the ladder is 0.5 &
between the wall and the ladder is 0.25 and it supports a
vertical load of 1000N, determine
a) the least value of at which the ladder may be placed
without slipping
b) the reactions at A & B
[Ans.: (a) = 56.3o (b) RA = 1193 N, RB = 550N]
1000N
B

5m

A
 Friction 53

9) An uniform ladder of weight 250N is placed against a

smooth vertical wall with its lower end 5m from the wall.
between the ladder and the floor is 0.3. Show that the ladder
remains in equilibrium in this position. What is the frictional
resistance on the ladder at the point of contact between the
ladder and the floor?
Smooth wall
[Ans.: FA = 52N] B

12m

A
5m
 Friction 54

10)A ladder of length 5m weighing 500N is placed at 45o

against a vertical wall. between the ladder and the
wall is 0.20 & between ladder and ground is 0.50. If a
man weighing 600N ascends the ladder, how high will
he be when the ladder just slips. If a boy now stands on
the bottom rung of the ladder, what must be his least
weight so that the man can go to the top of the ladder.

[Ans.: (a) x = 2.92m (b) Wboy = 458N]