Have you ever wondered what would happen if we didn’t have friction on earth? Where would we all slide to? But what even is friction?
Friction is the force that prevents one solid object from sliding or rolling over another. We use and rely on it everyday, whether we notice or not. If we had no friction everything would slide to the lowest point. We wouldn't be able to write without friction, since friction prevents objects from sliding apart. From the most simplest things to the most complex things, everything on this planet requires friction to function. Even with something as simple as walking on the road to keeping asteroids from colliding with Earth - these are all things that require friction to be present. But what’s the difference between these two in reference to friction?
Well, one has a higher level of friction while the other one has a lower level of friction. Some substances cause more friction than others. Slower moving surfaces are described as having high friction, while those which allow for more movement are described as having low friction. Rough surfaces cause more friction than smooth surfaces. There are mainly four types of friction: static friction, sliding friction, rolling friction, and fluid friction.
Fun fact - friction can create static electricity. The more the two surfaces are pressed against each other, the greater the force required to overcome the frictional force and make them slide. Fluid friction is frequently used in water parks so that we can slide smoothly and quickly down giant slides. Overall, friction is a necessary everyday component of our lives; it allows us to move, create, build and experience the world we live in.
Bibliography: