6.2 Friction

Static and Kinetic Friction

The basic definition of friction is relatively simple to state.

There are several forms of friction. One of the simpler characteristics of sliding friction is that it is parallel to the contact surfaces between systems and is always in a direction that opposes motion or attempted motion of the systems relative to each other. If two systems are in contact and moving relative to one another, then the friction between them is called kinetic friction. For example, friction slows a hockey puck sliding on ice. When objects are stationary, static friction can act between them; the static friction is usually greater than the kinetic friction between two objects.

Imagine, for example, trying to slide a heavy crate across a concrete floor—you might push very hard on the crate and not move it at all. This means that the static friction responds to what you do—it increases to be equal to and in the opposite direction of your push. If you finally push hard enough, the crate seems to slip suddenly and starts to move. Now static friction gives way to kinetic friction. Once in motion, it is easier to keep it in motion than it was to get it started, indicating that the kinetic frictional force is less than the static frictional force. If you add mass to the crate, say by placing a box on top of it, you need to push even harder to get it started and also to keep it moving. Furthermore, if you oiled the concrete you would find it easier to get the crate started and keep it going (as you might expect).

Figure is a crude pictorial representation of how friction occurs at the interface between two objects. Close-up inspection of these surfaces shows them to be rough. Thus, when you push to get an object moving (in this case, a crate), you must raise the object until it can skip along with just the tips of the surface hitting, breaking off the points, or both. A considerable force can be resisted by friction with no apparent motion. The harder the surfaces are pushed together (such as if another box is placed on the crate), the more force is needed to move them. Part of the friction is due to adhesive forces between the surface molecules of the two objects, which explains the dependence of friction on the nature of the substances. For example, rubber-soled shoes slip less than those with leather soles. Adhesion varies with substances in contact and is a complicated aspect of surface physics. Once an object is moving, there are fewer points of contact (fewer molecules adhering), so less force is required to keep the object moving. At small but nonzero speeds, friction is nearly independent of speed.

The magnitude of the frictional force has two forms: one for static situations (static friction), the other for situations involving motion (kinetic friction). What follows is an approximate empirical (experimentally determined) model only. These equations for static and kinetic friction are not vector equations.

The symbol $\le$ means less than or equal to, implying that static friction can have a maximum value of ${\mu }_{\text{s}}N.$ Static friction is a responsive force that increases to be equal and opposite to whatever force is exerted, up to its maximum limit. Once the applied force exceeds

$f_{\text{s}}\text{(max),}$ the object moves. Thus,

A system in which $f_{\text{k}}={\mu }_{\text{k}}N$ is described as a system in which friction behaves simply. The transition from static friction to kinetic friction is illustrated in Figure.

As you can see in Figure, the coefficients of kinetic friction are less than their static counterparts. The approximate values of $\mu$ are stated to only one or two digits to indicate the approximate description of friction given by the preceding two equations.

Figure and Figure include the dependence of friction on materials and the normal force. The direction of friction is always opposite that of motion, parallel to the surface between objects, and perpendicular to the normal force. For example, if the crate you try to push (with a force parallel to the floor) has a mass of 100 kg, then the normal force is equal to its weight,

perpendicular to the floor. If the coefficient of static friction is 0.45, you would have to exert a force parallel to the floor greater than

to move the crate. Once there is motion, friction is less and the coefficient of kinetic friction might be 0.30, so that a force of only

keeps it moving at a constant speed. If the floor is lubricated, both coefficients are considerably less than they would be without lubrication. Coefficient of friction is a unitless quantity with a magnitude usually between 0 and 1.0. The actual value depends on the two surfaces that are in contact.

Many people have experienced the slipperiness of walking on ice. However, many parts of the body, especially the joints, have much smaller coefficients of friction—often three or four times less than ice. A joint is formed by the ends of two bones, which are connected by thick tissues. The knee joint is formed by the lower leg bone (the tibia) and the thighbone (the femur). The hip is a ball (at the end of the femur) and socket (part of the pelvis) joint. The ends of the bones in the joint are covered by cartilage, which provides a smooth, almost-glassy surface. The joints also produce a fluid (synovial fluid) that reduces friction and wear. A damaged or arthritic joint can be replaced by an artificial joint (Figure). These replacements can be made of metals (stainless steel or titanium) or plastic (polyethylene), also with very small coefficients of friction.

Natural lubricants include saliva produced in our mouths to aid in the swallowing process, and the slippery mucus found between organs in the body, allowing them to move freely past each other during heartbeats, during breathing, and when a person moves. Hospitals and doctor’s clinics commonly use artificial lubricants, such as gels, to reduce friction.

The equations given for static and kinetic friction are empirical laws that describe the behavior of the forces of friction. While these formulas are very useful for practical purposes, they do not have the status of mathematical statements that represent general principles (e.g., Newton’s second law). In fact, there are cases for which these equations are not even good approximations. For instance, neither formula is accurate for lubricated surfaces or for two surfaces siding across each other at high speeds. Unless specified, we will not be concerned with these exceptions.

Example

Static and Kinetic Friction

A 20.0-kg crate is at rest on a floor as shown in Figure. The coefficient of static friction between the crate and floor is 0.700 and the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.600. A horizontal force $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{P}}$ is applied to the crate. Find the force of friction if (a) $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{P}}=20.0\text{N,}$ (b) $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{P}}=30.0\text{N,}$ (c) $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{P}}=120.0\text{N,}$ and (d) $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{P}}=180.0\text{N}\text{.}$

Strategy

The free-body diagram of the crate is shown in Figure(b). We apply Newton’s second law in the horizontal and vertical directions, including the friction force in opposition to the direction of motion of the box.

 

Solution

Newton’s second law gives

$\begin{array}{cccc}\sum F_x=m{a}_x\hfill & & & \sum F_y=m{a}_y\hfill \\ P-f=m{a}_x\hfill & & & N-w=0.\hfill \end{array}$

Here we are using the symbol f to represent the frictional force since we have not yet determined whether the crate is subject to station friction or kinetic friction. We do this whenever we are unsure what type of friction is acting. Now the weight of the crate is

$w=(20.0\text{kg})(9.80{\text{m/s}}^2)=196\text{N,}$

which is also equal to N. The maximum force of static friction is therefore $(0.700)(196\text{N})=137\text{N}\text{.}$ As long as $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{P}}$ is less than 137 N, the force of static friction keeps the crate stationary and $f_{\text{s}}=\overrightarrow{\mathbf{P}}.$ Thus, (a) $f_s=20.0\text{N,}$ (b) $f_s=30.0\text{N,}$ and (c) $f_s=120.0\text{N}\text{.}$

(d) If $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{P}}=180.0\text{N,}$ the applied force is greater than the maximum force of static friction (137 N), so the crate can no longer remain at rest. Once the crate is in motion, kinetic friction acts. Then

$f_{\text{k}}={\mu }_{\text{k}}N=(0.600)(196\text{N})=118\text{N,}$

and the acceleration is

$a_x=\frac{\overrightarrow{\mathbf{P}}-f_{\text{k}}}{m}=\frac{180.0\text{N}-118\text{N}}{20.0\text{kg}}=3.10{\text{m/s}}^2\text{.}$

Significance

This example illustrates how we consider friction in a dynamics problem. Notice that static friction has a value that matches the applied force, until we reach the maximum value of static friction. Also, no motion can occur until the applied force equals the force of static friction, but the force of kinetic friction will then become smaller.

Friction and the Inclined Plane

One situation where friction plays an obvious role is that of an object on a slope. It might be a crate being pushed up a ramp to a loading dock or a skateboarder coasting down a mountain, but the basic physics is the same. We usually generalize the sloping surface and call it an inclined plane but then pretend that the surface is flat. Let’s look at an example of analyzing motion on an inclined plane with friction.

Example

Downhill Skier

A skier with a mass of 62 kg is sliding down a snowy slope at a constant velocity. Find the coefficient of kinetic friction for the skier if friction is known to be 45.0 N.

Strategy

The magnitude of kinetic friction is given as 45.0 N. Kinetic friction is related to the normal force $N$ by $f_{\text{k}}={\mu }_{\text{k}}N$; thus, we can find the coefficient of kinetic friction if we can find the normal force on the skier. The normal force is always perpendicular to the surface, and since there is no motion perpendicular to the surface, the normal force should equal the component of the skier’s weight perpendicular to the slope. (See Figure, which repeats a figure from the chapter on Newton’s laws of motion.)

We have

$N=w_y=w\text{cos}{25}^{\circ }=mg\text{cos}{25}^{\circ }.$

Substituting this into our expression for kinetic friction, we obtain

$f_{\text{k}}={\mu }_{\text{k}}mg\text{cos}{25}^{\circ },$

which can now be solved for the coefficient of kinetic friction ${\mu }_{\text{k}}.$

Solution

Solving for ${\mu }_{\text{k}}$ gives

${\mu }_{\text{k}}=\frac{f_{\text{k}}}{N}=\frac{f_{\text{k}}}{w\text{cos}{25}^{\circ }}=\frac{f_{\text{k}}}{mg\text{cos}{25}^{\circ }}.$

Substituting known values on the right-hand side of the equation,

${\mu }_{\text{k}}=\frac{45.0\text{N}}{(62\text{kg})(9.80{\text{m/s}}^2)(0.906)}=0.082.$

Significance

This result is a little smaller than the coefficient listed in Figure for waxed wood on snow, but it is still reasonable since values of the coefficients of friction can vary greatly. In situations like this, where an object of mass m slides down a slope that makes an angle $\theta$ with the horizontal, friction is given by $f_{\text{k}}={\mu }_{\text{k}}mg\text{cos}\theta .$ All objects slide down a slope with constant acceleration under these circumstances.

We have discussed that when an object rests on a horizontal surface, the normal force supporting it is equal in magnitude to its weight. Furthermore, simple friction is always proportional to the normal force. When an object is not on a horizontal surface, as with the inclined plane, we must find the force acting on the object that is directed perpendicular to the surface; it is a component of the weight.

We now derive a useful relationship for calculating coefficient of friction on an inclined plane. Notice that the result applies only for situations in which the object slides at constant speed down the ramp.

An object slides down an inclined plane at a constant velocity if the net force on the object is zero. We can use this fact to measure the coefficient of kinetic friction between two objects. As shown in Figure, the kinetic friction on a slope is $f_k={\mu }_{k}mg\text{cos}\theta$. The component of the weight down the slope is equal to $mg\text{sin}\theta$ (see the free-body diagram in Figure). These forces act in opposite directions, so when they have equal magnitude, the acceleration is zero. Writing these out,

Solving for ${\mu }_{\text{k}},$ we find that

Put a coin on a book and tilt it until the coin slides at a constant velocity down the book. You might need to tap the book lightly to get the coin to move. Measure the angle of tilt relative to the horizontal and find ${\mu }_{\text{k}}.$ Note that the coin does not start to slide at all until an angle greater than $\theta$ is attained, since the coefficient of static friction is larger than the coefficient of kinetic friction. Think about how this may affect the value for ${\mu }_{\text{k}}$ and its uncertainty.

Atomic-Scale Explanations of Friction

The simpler aspects of friction dealt with so far are its macroscopic (large-scale) characteristics. Great strides have been made in the atomic-scale explanation of friction during the past several decades. Researchers are finding that the atomic nature of friction seems to have several fundamental characteristics. These characteristics not only explain some of the simpler aspects of friction—they also hold the potential for the development of nearly friction-free environments that could save hundreds of billions of dollars in energy which is currently being converted (unnecessarily) into heat.

Figure illustrates one macroscopic characteristic of friction that is explained by microscopic (small-scale) research. We have noted that friction is proportional to the normal force, but not to the amount of area in contact, a somewhat counterintuitive notion. When two rough surfaces are in contact, the actual contact area is a tiny fraction of the total area because only high spots touch. When a greater normal force is exerted, the actual contact area increases, and we find that the friction is proportional to this area.

However, the atomic-scale view promises to explain far more than the simpler features of friction. The mechanism for how heat is generated is now being determined. In other words, why do surfaces get warmer when rubbed? Essentially, atoms are linked with one another to form lattices. When surfaces rub, the surface atoms adhere and cause atomic lattices to vibrate—essentially creating sound waves that penetrate the material. The sound waves diminish with distance, and their energy is converted into heat. Chemical reactions that are related to frictional wear can also occur between atoms and molecules on the surfaces. Figure shows how the tip of a probe drawn across another material is deformed by atomic-scale friction. The force needed to drag the tip can be measured and is found to be related to shear stress, which is discussed in Static Equilibrium and Elasticity. The variation in shear stress is remarkable (more than a factor of ${10}^{12}$) and difficult to predict theoretically, but shear stress is yielding a fundamental understanding of a large-scale phenomenon known since ancient times—friction.

Example

Sliding Blocks

The two blocks of Figure are attached to each other by a massless string that is wrapped around a frictionless pulley. When the bottom 4.00-kg block is pulled to the left by the constant force $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{P}},$ the top 2.00-kg block slides across it to the right. Find the magnitude of the force necessary to move the blocks at constant speed. Assume that the coefficient of kinetic friction between all surfaces is 0.400.

Strategy

We analyze the motions of the two blocks separately. The top block is subjected to a contact force exerted by the bottom block. The components of this force are the normal force $N_1$ and the frictional force $-0.400N_1.$ Other forces on the top block are the tension $T\text{i}$ in the string and the weight of the top block itself, 19.6 N. The bottom block is subjected to contact forces due to the top block and due to the floor. The first contact force has components $\text{−}{N}_1$ and $0.400N_1,$ which are simply reaction forces to the contact forces that the bottom block exerts on the top block. The components of the contact force of the floor are $N_2$ and $0.400N_2.$ Other forces on this block are $\text{−}P,$ the tension $T\text{i},$ and the weight –39.2 N.

Solution

Since the top block is moving horizontally to the right at constant velocity, its acceleration is zero in both the horizontal and the vertical directions. From Newton’s second law,

$\begin{array}{cccccccc}\hfill \sum F_x& =\hfill & m_1{a}_x\hfill & & & \hfill \sum F_y& =\hfill & m_1{a}_y\hfill \\ \hfill T-0.400N_1& =\hfill & 0\hfill & & & \hfill N_1-19.6\text{N}& =\hfill & 0.\hfill \end{array}$

Solving for the two unknowns, we obtain $N_1=19.6\text{N}$ and $T=0.40N_1=7.84\text{N}\text{.}$ The bottom block is also not accelerating, so the application of Newton’s second law to this block gives

$\begin{array}{cccc}\sum F_x=m_2{a}_x\hfill & & & \sum F_y=m_2{a}_y\hfill \\ T-P+0.400N_1+0.400N_2=0\hfill & & & N_2-39.2\text{N}-N_1=0.\hfill \end{array}$

The values of $N_1$ and T were found with the first set of equations. When these values are substituted into the second set of equations, we can determine $N_2$ and P. They are

$N_2=58.8\text{N}\text{and}P=39.2\text{N}\text{.}$

Significance

Understanding what direction in which to draw the friction force is often troublesome. Notice that each friction force labeled in Figure acts in the direction opposite the motion of its corresponding block.

Example

A Crate on an Accelerating Truck

A 50.0-kg crate rests on the bed of a truck as shown in Figure. The coefficients of friction between the surfaces are ${\mu }_{\text{k}}=0.300$ and ${\mu }_{\text{s}}=0.400.$ Find the frictional force on the crate when the truck is accelerating forward relative to the ground at (a) 2.00 m/s², and (b) 5.00 m/s².

Strategy

The forces on the crate are its weight and the normal and frictional forces due to contact with the truck bed. We start by assuming that the crate is not slipping. In this case, the static frictional force $f_{\text{s}}$ acts on the crate. Furthermore, the accelerations of the crate and the truck are equal.

Solution

1. Application of Newton’s second law to the crate, using the reference frame attached to the ground, yields
   $\begin{array}{cccccccc}\hfill \sum F_x& =\hfill & m{a}_x\hfill & & & \hfill \sum F_y& =\hfill & m{a}_y\hfill \\ \hfill f_{\text{s}}& =\hfill & (50.0\text{kg})(2.00{\text{m/s}}^2)\hfill & & & \hfill N-4.90\times {10}^2\text{N}& =\hfill & (50.0\text{kg})(0)\hfill \\ & =\hfill & 1.00\times {10}^2\text{N}\hfill & & & \hfill N& =\hfill & 4.90\times {10}^2\text{N}\text{.}\hfill \end{array}$

   We can now check the validity of our no-slip assumption. The maximum value of the force of static friction is

   ${\mu }_{\text{s}}N=(0.400)(4.90\times {10}^2\text{N})=196\text{N,}$

   whereas the actual force of static friction that acts when the truck accelerates forward at $2.00{\text{m/s}}^2$ is only $1.00\times {10}^2\text{N}\text{.}$ Thus, the assumption of no slipping is valid.

2. If the crate is to move with the truck when it accelerates at $5.0{\text{m/s}}^2,$ the force of static friction must be
   $f_{\text{s}}=m{a}_x=(50.0\text{kg})(5.00{\text{m/s}}^2)=250\text{N}\text{.}$

   Since this exceeds the maximum of 196 N, the crate must slip. The frictional force is therefore kinetic and is

   $f_k={\mu }_{k}N=(0.300)(4.90\times {10}^2\text{N})=147\text{N}\text{.}$

   The horizontal acceleration of the crate relative to the ground is now found from

   $\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \sum F_x& =\hfill & m{a}_x\hfill \\ \hfill 147\text{N}& =\hfill & (50.0\text{kg})a_x,\hfill \\ \hfill \text{so}{a}_x& =\hfill & 2.94{\text{m/s}}^2.\hfill \end{array}$

Significance

Relative to the ground, the truck is accelerating forward at $5.0{\text{m/s}}^2$ and the crate is accelerating forward at $2.94{\text{m/s}}^2$. Hence the crate is sliding backward relative to the bed of the truck with an acceleration $2.94{\text{m/s}}^2-5.00{\text{m/s}}^2=-2.06{\text{m/s}}^2\text{.}$

Example

Snowboarding

Earlier, we analyzed the situation of a downhill skier moving at constant velocity to determine the coefficient of kinetic friction. Now let’s do a similar analysis to determine acceleration. The snowboarder of Figure glides down a slope that is inclined at $\theta ={13}^0$ to the horizontal. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the board and the snow is ${\mu }_{\text{k}}=0.20.$ What is the acceleration of the snowboarder?

Strategy

The forces acting on the snowboarder are her weight and the contact force of the slope, which has a component normal to the incline and a component along the incline (force of kinetic friction). Because she moves along the slope, the most convenient reference frame for analyzing her motion is one with the x-axis along and the y-axis perpendicular to the incline. In this frame, both the normal and the frictional forces lie along coordinate axes, the components of the weight are $mg\text{sin}\theta \text{along the slope and}mg\text{cos}\theta \text{at right angles into the slope}$, and the only acceleration is along the x-axis $(a_y=0).$

Solution

We can now apply Newton’s second law to the snowboarder:

$\begin{array}{cccccc}\hfill \sum F_x& =\hfill & m{a}_x\hfill & & & \sum F_y=m{a}_y\hfill \\ \hfill mg\text{sin}\theta -{\mu }_{k}N& =\hfill & m{a}_x\hfill & & & \hfill N-mg\text{cos}\theta =m(0)\text{.}\end{array}$

From the second equation, $N=mg\text{cos}\theta .$ Upon substituting this into the first equation, we find

$\begin{array}{cc}\hfill a_x& =g(\text{sin}\theta -{\mu }_{\text{k}}\text{cos}\theta )\hfill \\ & =g(\text{sin}{13}^{\circ }-0.20\text{cos}{13}^{\circ })=0.29{\text{m/s}}^2\text{.}\hfill \end{array}$

Significance

Notice from this equation that if $\theta$ is small enough or ${\mu }_{\text{k}}$ is large enough, $a_x$ is negative, that is, the snowboarder slows down.