Fun Fact Physics

Friction is a necessary evil

By: Aadyaa Keyal - Researcher

Think of everyday activities that you do. Some of them will be writing on paper,holding or lifting things,burning a matchstick and playing sports. You do these activities very easily without realizing that physics plays a role in this. Yes,friction is the force behind your everyday activities. This force is also termed as a necessary evil since it also damages goods often. Let's see why this necessary evil dies more good than harm in this post!

Friction is a force that resists the motion of two surfaces that are in contact with each other.

Advantages:

• Friction enables us to walk freely.

• It helps to support ladder against wall.

• It becomes possible to transfer one form of energy to another.

• Objects can be piled up without slipping.

• Breaks of vehicles work due to friction.

• It always resists the motion, so extra energy is required to overcome it.

Disadvantages:

• Friction opposes motion, so more work is required to move a body forward. 

• Friction can generate heat that damages moving parts of machines, or cause sparks or fires. 

• Friction can cause wear and tear on contacting surfaces, which can reduce the life of machine parts, tires, and shoe soles. 

• Friction can slow down motion and make it harder to get things done efficiently.

Friction is said to be a necessary evil because it is useful as well as harmful. Friction helps us to walk, write, hold things, lift objects. So it is necessary for our lives. Without friction, many essential processes can not be done.

On the other hand, it is also unnecessary at times. It sometimes results in loss of energy, wear and tear of parts of machinery, due to which it also damages things. Yet,everyday things  like burning a matchstick,  writing on  a paper, holding things wouldn't be possible. So it is an important part of of our everyday lives and hence termed as a necessary evil. 

So the next time you see the soles of your shoes damaged ,tire punctured or write on the blackboard or even walk with easy ,know that it's all because of friction.