Student Projects/Friction

Friction : The resistance to motion of one object moving relative to another. It is not a fundamental force, like gravity or electromagnetism. Instead, scientists believe it is the result of the electromagnetic attraction between charged particles in two touching surfaces.

FRICTION
We have observed, encountered many situations in day to day life such as slipping while stepping on banana peel, warming up of hands while rigorous rubbing, sparkling of stones when hit each other, rough floor in bathrooms, grooved sports shoe, highly grooved vehicle tires and much more. Have we ever thought what might be the reason for all these observations? As a upcoming youth we have to develop scientific temper that makes you to question, interrogate every situation encountered in day to day life.

The above set of observations and examples converge to a beautiful concept in physics called “FRICTION”. Then how do we define friction?

“ Friction is an opposing force to relative motion of two objects “.

We observe that when the surface is rough it is difficult to move a block compared to a smooth slippery surface. Highly grooved sports shoe gives greater grip, when we rub our hands heat is produced due to friction. Friction acts between surface (Road) and tire when break is applied. Thus FRICTION plays an important role in our day to day life and is an essential factor or force that acts like Friend as well as Foe.