20 plus Examples of friction - Easy to observe in our daily life

20 plus Examples of friction - Easy to observe in our daily life

20 plus Examples of friction - Easy to observe in our daily life
Aditya Raj Anand
Saturday, 1 February 2025
20 plus Examples of friction - Easy to observe in our daily life

As we discussed in our previous post about Newton law's. We have also seen some of the important examples but here we will talk about the main topic that is friction force. 

We all well known about the term friction. Below are the deep discussion on 

Here are 20+ examples of friction that you can easily observe in daily life:

  1. Walking: Friction between your shoes and the ground allows you to walk without slipping.
  2. Braking a Car: The friction between the brake pads and the wheels slows down the car.
  3. Rubbing Your Hands Together: When you rub your hands together, friction generates heat.
  4. Writing with a Pen or Pencil: Friction between the writing instrument and paper allows you to write.
  5. Sliding Furniture: Moving a chair or table across the floor creates friction that resists the motion.
  6. Climbing Stairs: Friction between your shoes and the steps helps you climb safely.
  7. Opening a Door: The friction between the door hinge and its frame affects how easily the door opens.
  8. Using a Zipper: Friction between the zipper teeth and the fabric helps close the zipper.
  9. Driving a Bike: The friction between the tires and the road keeps the bike from slipping.
  10. Washing Clothes by Hand: Friction between your hands and the fabric helps clean the clothes.
  11. Using an Eraser: Friction between the eraser and the paper helps rub out pencil marks.
  12. Sliding a Book on a Table: When you slide a book across a table, friction slows it down.
  13. Skiing: Friction between the skis and the snow affects how fast or slow you can go.
  14. Riding a Skateboard: Friction between the skateboard wheels and the ground determines speed and stability.
  15. Opening a Jar Lid: Friction between your fingers and the lid helps you twist and open the jar.
  16. Sanding Wood: Friction between the sandpaper and the wood smooths out rough surfaces.
  17. Burning Wood: Friction between wood and air contributes to the heat during a fire.
  18. Rubbing a Match: Friction on the matchstick helps ignite it.
  19. Using a Ruler: Friction between the ruler and the paper can cause the ruler to stick slightly.
  20. Pulling a Suitcase: Friction between the wheels of the suitcase and the ground affects how easily it moves.
  21. Tightening a Screw: Friction between the screw and the material (like wood or metal) holds it in place.

These examples highlight how friction is present in almost all daily activities, whether you're moving, writing, or using common tools.


What is Friction force? Examples of friction.


Friction is the force that opposes motion between two surfaces that are in contact. It is a force that acts in the opposite direction of the motion of the object and can be either helpful or harmful.

Examples of Friction in Daily Life:


  1. Walking on a rough road or walking on ice.
  2. Holding a pencil or pen.
  3. Opening a jar or bottle.
  4. Brushing your teeth.
  5. Using brakes in a car or bicycle.
  6. Playing sports such as baseball or football.
  7. Typing on a keyboard.
  8. Using tools such as a hammer or screwdriver.
  9. Writing on a chalkboard or whiteboard.
  10. Using zipper.
  11. Using a matchstick or a lighter.
  12. Climbing a ladder or stairs.
  13. Opening a door or window.
  14. Using a fan or air conditioner.
  15. Using a vacuum cleaner.
  16. Painting a wall or a ceiling.
  17. Cooking on a stove or oven.
  18. Using a saw or a drill.
  19. Opening a book or a magazine.
  20. Playing musical instruments such as a guitar or piano.

Friction has many practical applications and can be used to our advantage. For example, friction is used to make car brakes work, to keep a pencil from slipping while we write, and to keep a building from sliding down a hill. However, too much friction can cause wear and tear on machinery and make it harder to move objects. To overcome friction, lubricants such as oil or grease can be used.

In summary, friction is a force that opposes motion between two surfaces, it can be helpful or harmful depending on the context and application, and it has many practical application in our daily life.

Friction is the force that opposes motion between two surfaces that are in contact. It is a force that acts in the opposite direction of the motion of the object and can be either helpful or harmful.

Friction is an important concept in physics and engineering, as it affects motion and energy in many ways. It is responsible for the resistance encountered when attempting to start or stop motion, and also affects the stability and performance of moving parts in machinery.

Friction can be classified into two types: static and kinetic friction. Static friction is the force that oppose motion between two surfaces that are not moving relative to each other, while kinetic friction is the force that oppose motion between two surfaces that are in motion relative to each other. 

The coefficient of friction is a number that represents the ratio of the force of friction to the force pressing the two surfaces together.

1. Walking on a rough road or walking on ice.


Walking on a rough road or walking on ice. In both cases, friction between your shoe and the surface you are walking on makes it possible for you to walk without slipping. 

If the road or ground is rough, there is more friction between the shoe and the surface, which makes it easier to walk. On the other hand, if the surface is slippery like ice, the friction between the shoe and the surface is much less, making it more difficult to walk.

2. Holding a pencil or pen.


Holding a pencil or pen. The friction between your fingers and the pencil or pen allows you to hold it without it slipping out of your hand. The force of friction acts against the motion of the pencil or pen moving out of your hand.

3. Opening a jar or bottle


Opening a jar or bottle. When you twist off the lid of a jar or bottle, you are using friction to your advantage. The friction between the lid and the jar or bottle holds the lid in place, and you have to overcome this force of friction in order to open the jar or bottle.

4. Brushing your teeth. 


Brushing your teeth. Friction is also the reason why a toothbrush bristles can scrub the surface of your teeth clean. The bristles of the toothbrush, which are rough, create a strong force of friction against the surface of your teeth, which helps to remove plaque and food debris.


5. Using brakes in a car or bicycle


Using brakes in a car or bicycle. When you press the brake pedal or the brake lever on a car or bicycle, the friction between the brake pads or brake shoes and the wheels slows the vehicle down by applying a force in the opposite direction of the motion.


6. Playing sports such as baseball or football


Playing sports such as baseball or football. Friction affects the way that the ball behaves in different sports. In baseball, the rough surface of the baseball makes it possible for a pitcher to throw a curveball by creating more friction on one side of the ball than the other. In football, the friction between the ball and the grass makes it possible for a kicker to make a field goal by keeping the ball steady on the ground.

7. Typing on a keyboard


Typing on a keyboard. When you press a key on a keyboard, the friction between the key and the key's mechanical switch makes it possible for you to type. The force of friction holds the key in place and prevents it from slipping out of your finger's grasp.

8. Using tools such as a hammer 


Using tools such as a hammer or screwdriver. Friction is what allows you to use a hammer or screwdriver to drive nails or screws into a surface. The force of friction between the hammer or screwdriver and the surface you are working on prevents the tool from slipping out of your hand.

9. Writing on a chalkboard or whiteboard


Writing on a chalkboard or whiteboard. The friction between the chalk or marker and the surface of the chalkboard or whiteboard makes it possible for you to write or draw.


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