8 FRICTION

SYLLABUS
Types of friction, Laws of static friction, Limiting friction, Angle of friction, angle of repose;
Impending motion on horizontal and inclined planes; Numerical Problems on single and
two blocks on inclined planes

In previous chapters, it was assumed that the surfaces in contact were smooth so that there was
no force tangential to these surfaces. In particular situation, such idea smooth surface do not exist
and there exists a tangential force between two surfaces in contact. Whenever there is tendency for
relative sliding motion of one contact surface with respect to the other.

8.1 FRICTIONAL FORCE

Frictional force is defined as the force which opposes the movement of the body or tends
to oppose the movement of the body or tends to oppose the movement of the body. The
direction of frictional force is such that it always opposes the tendency for relative motion
between two surface in contact (refer fig. 8.1)

Fig. 8.1: Representation of frictional force

8.2 TYPES OF FRICTION FORCE
Friction force is broadly classified as Dry Friction and Fluid Friction.
1) Dry Friction: It is the frictional force developed between two bodies when they are
sliding one over the other. This is also called as Coloumb’s Dry Friction.
Dry Friction further divided into two types
(a) Solid/Sliding Friction: It is the friction developed between two bodies having
relative motion, as they are sliding one over the other. This friction force is greater
to rolling friction in magnitude.
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(b) Rolling Friction: It is the friction developed between the two bodies when they
are rolling one over the other the magnitude of rolling friction is always less than
the sliding friction.
2) Fluid Friction: It is the frictional force developed between two bodies because of the
fluid introduced between them.
Fluid Friction further divided into
(a) Viscous Friction: The friction acting on the body when the contact surface are
completely separated by lubricant is called Viscous or Film Friction.
(b) Non-Viscous Friction: The friction acting on the body when contact surface
are lubricated with extremely thin layer of lubricant is called Non-Viscous
Friction.
3) Static Friction: The friction acting on a body which is at rest is called Static Friction.
4) Limiting Friction: The friction acting on a body which is just on the point or verge of
sliding is called limiting friction.
5) Dynamical Friction: The friction acting on the body which is actually in motion is
called Dynamical Friction or Kinetic Friction.

8.3 LAWS OF STATIC FRICTION

1) The force of friction always acts in the direction opposite to that in which the body
tends to move.

2) The magnitude of limiting friction (F) bears a constant ratio to the normal reaction (R)
between the two surfaces

i.e.,   F
= m (Constant )
R
3) The magnitude of force of friction is exactly equal to the force, which tends the body
move, as long as the body is at rest (i.e., P = F).
4) The force of friction is independent of the areas of contact between two surfaces.
5) The force of friction depends upon the roughness of the surfaces in contact.
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8.4 LIMITING FRICTION

The self-adjusting opposing and resting friction ‘F’ which opposes the sliding motion of one
body over another, has a limiting value an dif the applied force exceeds this value, the body
begins to move. This limiting value of the force is called the limiting friction and at this stage
the body is in limiting equillibrium and just on the verge of motion.

8.5 ANGLE OF FRICTION

It is the angle made by the resultant of friction force and normal reaction with normal reac-
tion direction.

Fig. 8.2: Angle of friction

Consider a block subjected to a force F as shown in fig. 8.2. Let Ff be the frictional force in-
duced and N is the normal reaction. Let R be the resultant of force Ff and normal reaction N
which makes an angle f. This angle f is known as the angle of friction. Tangent of this angle
of friction is co-efficient of friction.
i.e.,   tanf = m

8.6 ANGLE OF REPOSE

It is the angle made by a plane when the block placed on it starts sliding down the plane with-
out applying any additional forces on it (or) it is the angle made by a plane with horizontal
when the block placed on it is at the verge of slippage.

Fig. 8.3: Angle of Repose

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Consider a block placed on an inclined plane making an angle q with horizontal. At this
state if the body is at the verge of slippage i.e., under equillibrium of forces then q is at
equillibrium

SFx = 0,    Ff - Wsinq = 0 .....(1)

SFy = 0,    N - Wcosq = 0 .....(2)
F
From (1) & (2) tan q = = tan f
N

\    f = q where, f = Angle of friction

8.7 CONE OF FRICTION

Fig. 8.4: Cone of friction

This is an imaginary inverted cone with semi vertical angle equal to the angle of friction.
Consider a block is subjected to a force F as shown in fig. 8.4. Then the forces acting on the
body are applied force F, weight of the body W, frictional force Ff and Normal reaction N. If
resultant of Ff and N is R making angle f with normal reaction developed.
If applied force is rotated by 360° in horizontal plane, then the resultant R also rotate and
forms an imaginary cone with semi vertical angle f as shown in fig. 8.4. This cone is known
as cone of friction.

8.8 CO-EFFICIENT OF FRICTION (µ)

It is is the ratio of the limiting friction F to the normal reaction R between two surfaces. This
is also equal to the tangent of angle of friction.
   m = F
R
F

\ tan f = m =
R