PHYSICS 71

Chapter 6 Applying Newton’s Laws

12 Frictional Forces

National Institute of Physics

College of Science
University of the Philippines Diliman
Annotated by: Geronimo Allan Jerome Acosta

In this lecture we introduce another example of contact force –

frictional force. We then solve various problems involving
frictional forces.

1
 2
Frictional Force, 𝑓
Forces experienced when a body is at
rest or slides on a surface
▪ Frictionless surfaces: 𝑓 = 0
▪ Act parallel to the surface
▪ Perpendicular to the normal force
▪ Opposite the direction of motion
▪ Result from interaction of surface molecules
Types ▪ STATIC FRICTION
▪ KINETIC FRICTION

Frictional force results from the relative motion of two surfaces.

Molecules on the surface interacts with each other opposing
the relative motion between the surfaces. The net effect is a
parallel force called the frictional force.
There are two types of frictional force – static and kinetic
friction.

2
 3
Kinetic Friction , 𝑓𝑘
Acts when a body slides over a surface as the object is moving
▪ Magnitude increases when normal force increases.
𝑓𝑘 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑛
▪ 𝜇𝑘 is the coefficient of kinetic friction
▪ The more slippery the surface, the smaller the value of 𝜇𝑘

Kinetic friction acts between two surfaces which are MOVING

relative to each other. The magnitude is proportional to the
normal force between the surface. The proportionality constant
is called the coefficient of kinetic friction.

3
 4
Static Friction , 𝑓𝑠
Acts when there is no relative motion
▪ The maximum magnitude of 𝑓𝑠 depends on the normal force
𝑓𝑠 ≤ 𝜇𝑠 𝑛
▪ 𝜇𝑠 is the coefficient of static friction
▪ The values of 𝑓𝑠 range from 0 to 𝜇𝑠 𝑛

Static friction acts between two surfaces which are NOT

MOVING relative to each other. Static friction keeps the two
surfaces at rest relative to each other. As the two surfaces try to
move relative to each other, the static friction increases from
zero up to a maximum value which is proportional to the normal
force. The proportionality constant is called the coefficient of
static friction.

4
 5
Friction and Motion
a) No applied force, box at rest.
No friction: 𝑓𝑠 = 0

a. When there is no applied force, the two surfaces (bottom of

the box and the floor) do not try to move relative to each other,
thus there is zero static friction.

5
 6
Friction and Motion
a) No applied force, box at rest.
No friction: 𝑓𝑠 = 0
b) Weak applied force, box remains
at rest. Static friction: 𝑓𝑠 < 𝜇𝑠 𝑛

b. When a weak force is applied, the two surfaces (bottom of

the box and the floor) try to move relative to each other and
there will be a nonzero frictional force to oppose the motion.
The frictional force at this point still increases and haven’t
reached the maximum value yet.

6
 7
Friction and Motion
a) No applied force, box at rest.
No friction: 𝑓𝑠 = 0
b) Weak applied force, box remains
at rest. Static friction: 𝑓𝑠 < 𝜇𝑠 𝑛
c) Stronger applied force, box just
about to slide.
Static friction: 𝑓𝑠 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑛

c. When a strong force is applied such that the two surfaces

(bottom of the box and the floor) are about to move relative to
each other, the magnitude of the static friction is maximum.

7
 8
Friction and Motion
a) No applied force, box at rest.
No friction: 𝑓𝑠 = 0
b) Weak applied force, box remains
at rest. Static friction: 𝑓𝑠 < 𝜇𝑠 𝑛
c) Stronger applied force, box just
about to slide.
Static friction: 𝑓𝑠 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑛
d) Box sliding at constant speed.
Kinetic friction: 𝑓𝑘 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑛

d. When the applied force exceeds the maximum value of the

static friction, the two surfaces (bottom of the box and the
floor) will move relative to each other and at this point the
frictional force acting on the surfaces is kinetic friction.

8
 9
Friction and Motion
𝑓𝑠 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑛

𝑓𝑘 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑛

𝑓𝑠 < 𝜇𝑠 𝑛

𝑓𝑠 = 0

The plot shows how frictional force increase when applied force
is increased. Initially, the frictional force is static friction
increasing in magnitude equal to the applied force until the
maximum value is attained. At this “tipping” point the surfaces
are about to move relative to each other. When the applied
force exceeds the maximum static friction the surfaces will
move and the frictional force now becomes kinetic friction.
Note in practice, the kinetic friction is less than the maximum
value of the static friction (i.e. the coefficient of static friction is
greater than the coefficient of kinetic friction).

9
 10
Friction and Motion
Example 1
You want to move a 500.-N crate across a
level floor. To start the crate moving, you have
to pull with a 230.-N horizontal force. Once the
crate “breaks loose” and starts to move, you
can keep it moving at constant velocity with
only 200. N.
(a) What are the coefficients of static and kinetic friction?
(1) 𝑁 −𝑊 =0→𝑁 =𝑊
The maximum static friction is 230. N
𝑓𝑠,𝑚𝑎𝑥 230. 𝑁
(2) 𝑓𝑠,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑁 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑊 → 𝜇𝑠 = = = 0.46
𝑊 500. 𝑁
The kinetic friction is 200. N
𝑓𝑘 200. 𝑁
(3) 𝑓𝑘 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑁 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑊 → 𝜇𝑘 = = = 0.4
𝑊 500. 𝑁

From Newton’s first law along the vertical, we get equation 1

from which we get the normal force equals the weight of the
crate.
The force you need to apply to start the crate moving is equal to
the maximum frictional force (tipping point).
Using the expression for maximum friction force, equation 2,
and solving for the coefficient of static friction we get 0.46.
The force you need to apply to keep the crate moving is equal to
the kinetic force.
Using the expression for kinetic friction, equation 3, and solving
for the coefficient of kinetic friction we get 0.4.

10
 11
Friction and Motion
Example 1
You want to move a 500-N crate across a level
floor. To start the crate moving, you have to
pull with a 230-N horizontal force. Once the
crate “breaks loose” and starts to move, you
can keep it moving at constant velocity with
only 200 N.
(b) What is the friction force if the crate is at rest on the surface and a
horizontal force of 50 N is applied to it?
𝑓𝑠 = 50𝑁

When the crate is at rest the static friction is equal to the

applied force.

11
 12
Friction and Motion
Example 1
You want to move a 500-N crate across a level
floor. To start the crate moving, you have to
pull with a 230-N horizontal force. Once the
crate “breaks loose” and starts to move, you
can keep it moving at constant velocity with
only 200 N.
(c) FOLLOW UP: What happens if you continuously pulled with a
force of 230-N on the crate?
A. Remains at rest
B. Moves with constant velocity
C. Moves with constant acceleration

You need 230 N to start the crate moving after which kinetic
friction will kick in. In general this is less than the maximum
static friction 230 N thus there will be a net force and the crate
will move with constant acceleration.

12
 13
Friction and Motion
Example 2
You want to move the 500.-N crate across
the floor. Suppose you move the crate by
pulling upward on the rope at an angle of
30.0° above the horizontal.
(1) 𝐹𝑥,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑇 cos 30 − 𝑓𝑘 = 0
(2) 𝐹𝑦,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑇 sin 30 + 𝑁 − 𝑊 = 0 𝜇𝑠 = 0.460
(3) 𝑇 sin 30 + 𝑁 = 𝑊 𝜇𝑘 = 0.400
(4) 𝑇 cos 30 − 𝜇𝑘 𝑁 = 0 𝑵
𝑻
a) How hard must you pull to keep it
moving with constant velocity?
(5) 𝑇 = 188 𝑁 𝒇𝒌

b) How hard does the ground push on the

crate?
(6) 𝑁 = 406 𝑁 𝑾

First draw the Free-Body diagram of the crate. The frictional

force is directed along the negative 𝑥-direction to oppose the
crate’s motion.
Writing Newton’s first law along the 𝑥 and 𝑦 – direction we get
equations 1 and 2. Rearranging and substituting the value of
kinetic friction we get equations 3 and 4. Solving for the values
of the tension and the normal force we get equations 5 and 6.
Note that the tension is equal to the applied force.

13
Friction and Motion
Example 3
A very light taut rope is attached to a box with mass mA =
3.0kg that rests on a tabletop with 𝜇𝑠 = 0.25 and 𝜇𝑘 = 0.20.
The rope passes over a frictionless, massless pulley and
another box with mass mB = 1.0kg is attached to the other
end of the rope. What is the acceleration of the blocks?
𝑵 𝑻

𝒇 𝑻

𝑾𝑨 𝑾𝑩

14
 Friction and Motion
Example 3
A very light taut rope is attached to a box with mass mA =
3.0kg that rests on a tabletop with 𝜇𝑠 = 0.25 and 𝜇𝑘 = 0.20.
The rope passes over a frictionless, massless pulley and
another box with mass mB = 1.0kg is attached to the other
end of the rope. What is the acceleration of the blocks?
𝑵
Suppose the block’s are at rest.
Newton’s 1st law:
(1) 𝐹𝐴𝑦,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑁 − 𝑊𝐴 = 0 𝒇 𝑻
(2) 𝐹𝐵𝑦,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑇 − 𝑊𝐵 = 0
Solving for the tension,
(3) 𝑚
𝑇 = 𝑊𝐵 = 𝑚𝐵 𝑔 = 1.0𝑘𝑔 9.8 2 = 9.8 𝑁 𝑾𝑨
𝑠
Solving for the maximum static friction, 𝑻
𝑚
(4) 𝑓𝑠,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑁 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑊𝐴 = 0.25 3.0𝑘𝑔 9.8 2 = 7.35 𝑁
𝑠
Since the tension exceeds the maximum static friction,
the blocks should move.

𝑾𝑩

First draw the Free-Body diagram of blocks 𝐴 and 𝐵.

First we show that the blocks will indeed accelerate.
We assume first that the blocks are at rest. Writing Newton’s 1st
law we get equation 1 and 2.
Solving for the tension we get equation 3.
Solving for the maximum static friction we get equation 4.
Since the tension exceeds the maximum static friction, the
blocks should move.

15
 Friction and Motion
Example 3
A very light taut rope is attached to a box with mass mA =
3.0kg that rests on a tabletop with 𝜇𝑠 = 0.25 and 𝜇𝑘 = 0.20.
The rope passes over a frictionless, massless pulley and
another box with mass mB = 1.0kg is attached to the other
end of the rope. What is the acceleration of the blocks?
𝑵
Newton’s 2nd law:
(1) 𝐹𝐴𝑥,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑇 − 𝑓𝑘 = 𝑚𝐴 𝑎𝐴
(2) 𝐹𝐴𝑦,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑁 − 𝑊𝐴 = 0 𝒇 𝑻
(3) 𝐹𝐵𝑦,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑇 − 𝑊𝐵 = 𝑚𝐵 𝑎𝐵 = −𝑚𝐵 𝑎𝐴
Solve for acceleration of block A,
(4) 𝑇 − 𝑓𝑘 = 𝑚𝐴 𝑎𝐴 → 𝑇 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑁 + 𝑚𝐴 𝑎𝐴 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑊𝐴 + 𝑚𝐴 𝑎𝐴 𝑾𝑨
(5) 𝑇 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑊𝐴 + 𝑚𝐴 𝑎𝐴 𝑻
(6) 𝑇 = 𝑊𝐵 − 𝑚𝐵 𝑎𝐴
(7) 𝜇𝑘 𝑊𝐴 + 𝑚𝐴 𝑎𝐴 = 𝑊𝐵 − 𝑚𝐵 𝑎𝐴
𝑊𝐵 − 𝜇𝑘 𝑊𝐴 𝑚𝐵 𝑔 − 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝐴 𝑔 𝑚𝐵 − 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝐴
(8) 𝑎𝐴 = = = 𝑔
𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵
1.0 𝑘𝑔 − 0.20 3.0 𝑘𝑔 𝑚
(9)𝑎𝐴 = 9.8 2 = +0.98 𝑚/𝑠 2
1.0 𝑘𝑔 + 3.0 𝑘𝑔 𝑠 𝑾𝑩

We now assume that the blocks moves, so the frictional force is

kinetic.
Writing Newton’s 2nd law we get equations 1,2, and 3.
Note that the acceleration of block 𝐴 is equal to the
acceleration of block 𝐵, but 𝐴 is positive (to the right) and 𝐵 is
negative (downwards).
From equation 2 we get the normal force equals the weight of
block 𝐴. Substituting the value for the kinetic friction we get
equation 4. Rearranging equation 4 and equation 3 we get
equations 5 and 6.
Equating 5 and 6, we get equation 7. Solving for the
acceleration of block 𝐴 we get equation 8. Substituting values
we get equation 9.

16
EXERCISE
Initially, as a box of mass 1.0 kg moves with velocity 2.0 m/s to
the right, a force of magnitude 20. N starts pulling it to the right.
The box slides on a rough floor with 𝜇𝑘 = 0.25.
a) What is the acceleration of the box?

a) What is its velocity after travelling 3.0 m?

17
 SOLUTION
Initially, as a box of mass 1.0 kg moves with velocity 2.0 m/s to
the right, a force of magnitude 20. N starts pulling it to the right.
The box slides on a rough floor with 𝜇𝑘 = 0.25.
a) What is the acceleration of the box?
(1) 𝐹𝑦,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑛 − 𝑤 = 0
𝑚
(2) 𝑛 = 𝑤 = 𝑚𝑔 = 1.0𝑘𝑔 9.8 2 = 9.8 𝑁
𝑠
(3) 𝐹𝑥,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑇 − 𝑓𝑘 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥
(4) 𝑓𝑘 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑛 = 0.25 9.8𝑁 = 2.45 𝑁
𝑇 − 𝑓𝑘 20. 𝑁 − 2.45 𝑁 𝑚
(5) 𝑎𝑥 = = = 18 2
𝑚 1.0 𝑘𝑔 𝑠
b) What is its velocity after travelling 3.0 m?
(6) 𝑣 2 = 𝑣02 + 2𝑎𝑥 (𝑥 − 𝑥0 )
𝑚 2 𝑚
(7) 𝑣= 𝑣02 + 2𝑎𝑥 (𝑥 − 𝑥0 ) = 2.0 + 2 18 (3.0 𝑚)
𝑠 𝑠2
𝑚
(8) 𝑣 = 11
𝑠

First draw the Free-Body diagram of the box.

From Newton’s 1st law along the vertical direction, equation 1,
we calculate the normal force, equation 2.
From Newton’s 2nd law along the horizontal direction, equation
3, we calculate the acceleration of the block.
We solve for the kinetic friction equation 4 from the normal
force in equation 2. Solving now for the acceleration we get
equation 5.
To determine the final velocity, we use the kinematic equation,
equation 6. Substituting values we get 11 m/s.

18
 19
Credits/References
▪ University Physics 13th Ed, H. Young and R. Freedman
Pearson Education 2014
▪ Halliday, Resnick, Fundamentals of Physics, 9th ed.
▪ Physics 71 Lectures by J Vance, M Flores, A Lacaba, PJ Blancas,
G Pedemonte, DL Sombillo, K Agapito

19