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10 Examples of Friction

September 7, 2023
written by Qamar Zaman

Friction is a force that opposes the relative motion of two surfaces in contact. Friction is essential to our everyday lives. It allows us to walk, drive, and perform many other tasks.

There are several everyday examples of frictional force like Rubbing Hands Together and Rolling a Wheel.

Examples of Friction

Here are 10 examples of frictional force in our daily lives.

image showing the examples of frictional force
There are several everyday examples of frictional force like Rubbing Hands Together and Rolling a Wheel.

1. Walking

Walking on the ground is the best example of friction. When you walk, the frictional force between the soles of your shoes and the ground prevents you from slipping.

2. Car Brakes

Another example of friction force is car brakes. When you apply brakes in a car, the friction between the brake pads and the rotors slows down the vehicle.

3. Playing Musical Instruments

Musicians use friction between their fingers and the strings or keys of instruments like guitars, pianos, or violins to produce sound.

4. Writing with a Pencil or Pen

We can not write without frictional force. The friction between the writing utensil and paper allows you to create marks and write.

5. Gripping Objects

When you grip a doorknob, a steering wheel, or a tool, the frictional force between your hand and the object helps you control it.

6. Climbing

When you climb a ladder or a rock wall, friction between your hands, feet, and the surface helps you stay in place.

7. Bringing a Moving Object to a Stop

If you push a book across a table and want it to stop, the friction between the book and the table surface slows it down.

8. Sliding Down a Slide

The frictional force between your body and the slide surface controls your speed as you descend.

9. Rolling a Wheel

Vehicles move forward due to frictional force. Friction between the wheel and the road allows a vehicle to move forward.

10. Air Resistance

Even though it’s not surface contact friction, air resistance is a form of friction that opposes the motion of objects moving through the air, such as a flying bird or a car driving at high speeds.

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