FRICTION Meaning and
Definition
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Friction refers to the force that opposes the motion of an object when it comes into contact with another object or surface. It is a resistive force that occurs due to the interaction and interlocking of the microscopic irregularities present on the surfaces of objects in contact. Friction can be experienced in various forms, such as sliding, rolling, or fluid resistance.
Frictional forces are directly influenced by the nature of the surfaces in contact, the force with which the surfaces are pressed together (normal force), and the roughness or smoothness of the surfaces. This force tends to hinder the motion of an object, causing a loss of mechanical energy that is primarily converted into heat. Frictional forces can be both advantageous and disadvantageous, depending on the context.
In everyday life, friction plays a vital role. It enables us to walk or run without slipping, allows vehicles to grip the road, and enables the functioning of various mechanical devices such as brakes, clutches, or pulley systems. Different materials have varying levels of frictional effects, with some being more slippery and reducing the frictional forces, while others are more rough and increase friction, providing better grip.
Friction has significant implications in physics, engineering, and everyday tasks. It is an essential concept in the study of mechanics, helping to analyze the movement and forces acting on an object in different scenarios. Additionally, minimizing friction is often a goal in many industries to improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
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1. Rubbing 2. The resistance to movement between two bodies in contact with each other.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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The act of rubbing; the resistance producing by the rubbing of bodies against each other; attrition.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for FRICTION *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for FRICTION
Etymology of FRICTION
The word "friction" has its origins in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word "frictio", which is derived from the verb "fricare", meaning "to rub". In the late 16th century, the word "friction" was adopted into English, referring to the act of rubbing or the resistance between surfaces in contact.
Similar spelling words for FRICTION
- fractiously,
- frostiness,
- fructidor,
- fractional,
- fractionate,
- fractious,
- frostian,
- frostily,
- fructify,
- fruchter,
- freight,
- fraction,
- fiction,
- frictional,
- frosting.
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