Friction

Front

Friction Noun

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[frik-shun]

Back

Friction

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A force that resists the relative motion or tendency of such motion between two surfaces that are in contact.

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Example: A cart rolling from a smooth ramp onto a rough surface demonstrates friction, the force that opposes the cart's motion.

Front

Force Noun

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[forss]

Back

Force

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An influence, such as a push or a pull, that can cause an object with mass to change its velocity.

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Example: A person pushes a box, creating an 'applied force'. The 'friction force' between the box and the floor opposes this motion.

Front

Static Friction Noun

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[stat-ik frik-shun]

Back

Static Friction

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The frictional force that prevents stationary surfaces from beginning to slide past each other when an external force is applied.

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Example: This image shows that when you try to push a box, static friction is the opposing force that prevents it from moving.

Front

Kinetic Friction Noun

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[ki-net-ik frik-shun]

Back

Kinetic Friction

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The force that opposes the motion of two surfaces sliding over each other, also known as sliding friction.

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Example: This graph shows that as you push on an object (applied force), friction increases until the object starts sliding, then kinetic friction takes over.

Front

Rolling Friction Noun

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[rohl-ing frik-shun]

Back

Rolling Friction

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The resistive force that slows down the motion of a round object as it rolls on a surface.

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Example: This diagram shows that when a wheel is pushed forward, rolling friction is the force that acts in the opposite direction, resisting the motion.

Front

Fluid Friction Noun

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[floo-id frik-shun]

Back

Fluid Friction

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The force that resists the movement of a solid object through a fluid, which can be a liquid or gas.

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Example: An object moving through a fluid (like water or air) experiences an opposing force called fluid friction, which slows it down.

Front

Air Resistance Noun

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[air ri-zis-tuhns]

Back

Air Resistance

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A specific type of fluid friction that acts upon objects as they move through the Earth's atmosphere.

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Example: Air resistance, also called drag, is a type of friction that pushes against an object, like this paper plane, as it moves through the air.

Front

Lubricant Noun

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[loo-bri-kuhnt]

Back

Lubricant

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A substance, typically oily or greasy, that is applied to surfaces to reduce the friction between them.

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Example: A lubricant, like oil, is applied between moving parts, such as gears, to create a thin layer that reduces friction and wear.