What is a Frictional Force? [Simple Definition] and Examples

As per the name, you can guess the meaning of this force.

A frictional force is a force which is produced by the friction.

In physics, the definition of frictional force can be stated as:

“A force generated by two surfaces when they slide against each other is known as a Frictional Force“

To understand the above statement properly,

Let’s take some Real Life examples. (So you’ll get an exact idea)

Frictional Force Examples in our Daily Life

Here’s a list of Daily Life examples of frictional force:

• Rubbing a matchstick

• Writing with pencil

• Mopping the floor

• Rubbing a sandpaper on wooden edge

• Rubbing with eraser

• Landing of an airplane

• Cycling on a road

• Writing with chalk

• Sled sliding on a snow

• And more…

Let’s understand each one of these examples with pictures.

#1 Rubbing a matchstick

Here, a matchstick is rubbed on the rough side of matchbox.

While rubbing a matchstick, matchstick and rough side of matchbox slides against each other. So a friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force in the opposite direction of a matchstick.

(Due to this force, it feels little hard to rub a matchstick)

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

#2 Writing with pencil

Here, a pencil is used to write on a paper.

When writing with pencil, pencil point and paper slides against each other. So a friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force in the opposite direction of a pencil point.

(Due to this force, it feels little hard to write on a paper)

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

#3 Mopping the floor

Here, a boy is mopping the floor with a mopping brush.

While mopping the floor, mopping brush and floor slides against each other. So a friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force in the opposite direction of a mopping brush.

(Due to this force, it feels little hard to mop the floor)

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

#4 Rubbing a sandpaper on wooden edge

Here, a sandpaper is rubbed on a wooden edge.

When rubbing a sandpaper, sandpaper and wooden edge slides against each other. So a friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force in the opposite direction of a sandpaper.

(Due to this force, it feels little hard to rub a sandpaper)

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

#5 Rubbing with eraser

Here, an eraser is rubbed on paper.

While rubbing with eraser, eraser and paper slides against each other. So a friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force in the opposite direction of an eraser.

(Due to this force, it feels little hard to rub with an eraser)

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

#6 Landing of an airplane

Here, an airplane is landing on a runway.

While landing on a runway, airplane and runway slides against each other and friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force which stops the motion of an airplane.

And this force is known as the Frictional Force.

(Frictional force always acts in opposite direction to the motion of an object)

#7 Cycling on a road

Here, a girl is cycling on a road.

While cycling on a road, tyre and road slides against each other and friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force which stops the motion of a bicycle.

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

(Frictional force always acts in opposite direction to the motion of an object)

#8 Writing with chalk

Here, chalk is used to write on a blackboard.

While writing with chalk, chalk and blackboard slides against each other. So a friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force in the opposite direction of a chalk.

(Due to this force, it feels little hard to write on a blackboard)

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

#9 Sled sliding on a snow

Here, a sled is sliding on a snow.

When sliding on a snow, sled and snow slides against each other and friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force which stops the motion of a sled.

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

(Frictional force always acts in opposite direction to the motion of an object)

#10 Polishing shoe with a shoe brush

Here, a shoe is polished with a shoe brush.

While polishing a shoe, shoe and shoe brush slides against each other. So a friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force in the opposite direction of a shoe brush.

(Due to this force, it little hard to polish a shoe)

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

#11 Rubbing both hands together

Here, two hands are rubbed together.

While rubbing the hands, two hands slide against each other. So a friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force in the opposite direction of hands.

(Due to this force, it feels little hard to rub the hands)

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

#12 Ironing a cloth

Here, a boy is ironing a cloth.

While ironing a cloth, cloth and iron slides against each other. So a friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force in the opposite direction of iron.

(Due to this force, it feels little hard to iron a cloth)

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

#13 Pushing washing machine along a floor

Here, a trolley (along with a washing machine) is pushed along the floor.

While pushing a trolley, floor and trolley slides against each other and friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force in the opposite direction of a trolley.

(Due to this force, it feels little hard to push a trolley)

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

#14 Skating on a flat surface

Here, a boy is skating on a flat surface.

While skating on a flat surface, skateboard and flat surface slides against each other and friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force which stops the motion of a skateboard.

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

(Frictional force always acts in opposite direction to the motion of an object)

#15 Placing a blank paper in xerox machine

Here, a blank paper is placed in a xerox machine.

While placing a blank paper, blank paper and surface of xerox machine slides against each other. So a friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force in the opposite direction of a blank paper.

(Due to this force, it feels little hard to place a blank paper)

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

#16 Glass window sliding in a frame

Here, a glass window is sliding in a frame.

While sliding in a frame, glass window and frame slides against each other and friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force which stops the motion of a glass window.

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

(Frictional force always acts in opposite direction to the motion of an object)

#17 Sharpening a knife

Here, a cook is sharpening a knife with a sharpening rod.

While sharpening a knife, knife and sharpening rod slides against each other. So a friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force in the opposite direction of a knife.

(Due to this force, it feels little hard to sharpen a knife)

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

#18 Sliding on the garden slide

Here, a boy is sliding on the garden slide.

While sliding on the garden slide, boy and garden slide slides against each other and friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force in the opposite direction of a boy.

(Due to this force, it feels little hard to slide on the garden slide)

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

#19 Kitchen drawer sliding on a channel

Here, a kitchen drawer is sliding on a channel.

While sliding on a channel, drawer and channel slides against each other and friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force which stops the motion of a drawer.

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

(Frictional force always acts in opposite direction to the motion of an object)

#20 Cleaning a mirror with cloth

Here, a man is cleaning a mirror with cloth.

While cleaning a mirror, mirror and cloth slides against each other. So a friction is produced between them.

This friction produces a force in the opposite direction of cloth.

(Due to this force, it feels little hard to clean a mirror)

This type of force is known as the Frictional Force.

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There are so many other examples of frictional force that we are experiencing in our daily life.

Summary

From the above examples, one thing is understood.

Whenever two surfaces slide against each other, a frictional force is produced between them.

That’s how you can easily remember the definition of frictional force:

“A force generated by two surfaces when they slide against each other is known as a Frictional Force“

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What do you think, is it easy for you to understand this concept of frictional force?

(Let me know in the comments below)

Related:

• What is Force?

• Different Types of Forces

• Contact Force

• Non contact Force

• Balanced Force

• Unbalanced Force