Law of friction

Properties of frictional force 1. 2. act along the surface between two bodies act in a direction so as to oppose relative motion of the surfaces.
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Limiting friction
Applied force FA

Frictional force f

If the block remains at rest, f = FA The frictional force to be overcome before it moves is called limiting friction.

Limiting friction
FA / N
Applied force FA

f/N
0 1 2 3

0 1 2 3

Frictional force f

4 5

3 3

Limiting friction = 3 N

Limiting friction
Applied force FA f/N At rest 3 Moving

Frictional force f

2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5
Static friction Kinetic friction
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Limiting friction = 3 N

FA / N

Limiting friction
f/N
At rest Moving

3 2 1
0 1 2 3 4 5 Static friction Kinetic friction FA / N

Kinetic / Dynamic friction is the frictional force acting on an object when it is moving.
Static friction is the frictional force when the object is stationary.

Friction f Static friction f f Kinetic friction

From experiment, limiting friction f is slightly greater than kinetic friction f.

i.e. f > f Suppose f = 3.1 N, f = 3N A force of 3.1 N is required to make the block move. But once the block is moving, a force of 3 N only is required to keep the block moving.

Applied force F

For simplicity, take f = f

Law of friction

Normal reaction N Applied force FA

Frictional force f

1.

2.

The limiting frictional force f is directly proportional to the normal reaction N exerted by the surface. i.e. f N or f = mN where m is a constant called coefficient of limiting friction. The kinetic frictional force f is directly proportional to the normal reaction N exerted by the surface. i.e. f N or f = mN where m is a constant called coefficient of kinetic friction.

For simplicity, take f = f = mN and m = m

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For simplicity, take f = f = mN and m = m

If the surface is smooth, m = 0 f = 0 N Coefficient of friction depends on the two contacting materials.
Rubber Rubber Concrete (Dry) Concrete (Wet) m = 0.6 0.85 m = 0.45 0.75

Frictional force does not depend on the area of contact of the surfaces.
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A block of mass 2 kg starts from rest, sliding down a rough inclined plane making an angle of 30o with the horizontal. Length of plane is 8 m. It takes 4 seconds to reach the bottom. Find the coefficient of kinetic friction.

Solution: t = 4 s, s = 8 m, u = 0 ms-1 By s = ut + at2 8 = 0(4) + a(4)2 a = 1 ms-2 mg sin 30o f = ma (2)(10)sin 30o f = (2)(1) f=8N R = mg cos 30o = 17.32 N By f = mR 8 = m(17.32) m = 0.462

f
8m mg

30o

For the following situation, find the least coefficient of friction between the ground and the ladder.

S smooth

N
60o f A 250 N

N = 250 Newton Take moment about A, S x 4 sin 60o = 250 x 2 cos 60o S = 72.17 Newton f = S = 72.17 Newton The ladder is about to slip, f = mN 72.17 = m x 250 m = 0.289

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How to find coefficient of limiting friction? p 22

The coefficient of limiting friction, m, can be found by placing the block on a surface and tilting the latter to an angle q at which the block is just about to slip.
N

f q

mg

Along the plane: f = mg sin q --- (1) Perpendicular to the plane: N = mg cos q --- (2) Since the block is just about to slip, f = mN --- (3) Sub (3) into (1): mN = mg sin q --- (4) (4)/(2): m = tan q
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Hence, the coefficient of limiting friction is just tan q.