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Chapter: Friction – Class 8 Science

1. Introduction to Friction

• Friction is a contact force that opposes the relative motion between two surfaces in contact.

• It acts in the direction opposite to the motion.

2. Causes of Friction

• Friction is caused by irregularities (microscopic hills and valleys) on the surfaces in contact.

• Even smooth surfaces have minute irregularities.

• When two surfaces are pressed together, these irregularities interlock, resisting motion.

3. Types of Friction

1. Static Friction

o Acts on a body when it is at rest.

o It prevents the object from starting to move.

o Highest among all types.

2. Sliding Friction

o Acts when an object slides over another.

o Less than static friction.

3. Rolling Friction

o Acts when an object rolls over a surface (like wheels).

o Least among all three.

o That’s why vehicles use wheels — to reduce friction.

4. Factors Affecting Friction

1. Nature of surfaces in contact (smooth/rough).

2. Normal force or weight — more weight → more friction.

3. Area of contact doesn’t significantly affect friction (for rigid bodies).

5. Friction: A Necessary Evil

• Advantages:

o Helps in walking.

o Enables us to write.

o Helps in braking and gripping objects.

• Disadvantages:

o Causes wear and tear.

o Produces heat, which may be unwanted.

o Reduces efficiency of machines.

6. Increasing and Reducing Friction

• To increase friction:

o Make surfaces rough (e.g., car tires have treads).

o Press the surfaces harder together.

• To reduce friction:

o Use lubricants (oil, grease).

o Use rollers or ball bearings.

o Use air cushions or magnetic levitation in advanced systems.

o Use streamlined shapes to reduce fluid friction.

7. Fluid Friction

• Fluids (liquids and gases) also exert frictional force on objects moving through them.

• Known as drag.

• Affected by:

o Speed of object.

o Shape of object.

o Nature (viscosity) of fluid.

• Streamlined shapes help reduce fluid friction.

8. Methods to Reduce Friction in Machines

• Lubrication

• Ball bearings

• Streamlining

• Cushion of air

• Polishing surfaces

Key Terms

Term Definition

Friction Force opposing motion between two surfaces.

Static Friction Friction before motion starts.

Sliding Friction Friction during sliding motion.

Rolling Friction Friction during rolling motion.

Lubricant Substance used to reduce friction.

Drag Frictional force exerted by a fluid.

Streamlined Shape designed to reduce fluid resistance.

Important Diagrams

• Show diagrams of:

o Interlocking irregularities.

o Rolling vs sliding friction.

o Streamlined shape (e.g., fish, airplane).

NCERT Questions Practice

1. Define friction. Give examples.

2. Why is friction called a necessary evil?

3. Compare static, sliding, and rolling friction.

4. Why do we use lubricants?

5. Explain how streamlined shapes help reduce friction.

Class 8 Science – Friction Chapter Worksheet (50 Questions)

Section A: Very Short Answer Questions (1 mark each)

(Answer in one sentence)

1. Define friction.

2. What causes friction between two surfaces?

3. Name the frictional force that acts when a body is at rest.

4. Which type of friction is the least?

5. Mention one factor that affects friction.

6. What is a lubricant?

7. What is drag?

8. Name two types of fluid.

9. What is streamlined shape?

10. Give one example where friction is desirable.

Section B: Short Answer Questions (2 marks each)

(Answer in 2–3 sentences)

11. Why is friction called a necessary evil?

12. How does the nature of the surface affect friction?

13. Differentiate between sliding and rolling friction.

14. What happens when friction is reduced too much?

15. Why do we fall when we step on a slippery surface?

16. What are the advantages of friction?

17. How is static friction different from dynamic friction?

18. Why are the soles of shoes grooved?

19. Why is it difficult to move heavy objects on a rough surface?

20. Why do machines have ball bearings?

Section C: Long Answer Questions (3–4 marks each)

(Answer in 4–5 sentences or more)

21. Explain three methods to reduce friction.

22. Describe three situations where friction is useful and three where it is harmful.

23. Explain how lubricants reduce friction.

24. What is fluid friction? How can it be minimized?

25. Write a short note on the use of wheels in reducing friction.

26. Explain why sliding friction is less than static friction.

27. Why is rolling friction preferred in vehicles?

28. How does weight affect the force of friction?

29. What is the role of friction in walking?

30. Describe how athletes and vehicles reduce air resistance.

Section D: Diagram-Based Questions (2–3 marks each)

31. Draw a labelled diagram to show interlocking of irregular surfaces.

32. Draw diagrams of sliding and rolling friction.

33. Draw and label a streamlined body (e.g., fish or car).

34. Draw a diagram showing how ball bearings work.

35. Observe and label parts in a diagram showing fluid friction in a swimmer.

Section E: Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each)

36. Which friction acts when an object just begins to move?

a) Sliding friction
b) Static friction
c) Rolling friction
d) Fluid friction

37. Friction is caused due to:

a) Smooth surfaces
 b) Sticky surfaces
c) Interlocking of irregularities
d) Air

38. Which of the following is used to reduce friction?

a) Rough surface
b) Grease
c) Heat
d) Force

39. Which friction is highest?

a) Static
b) Sliding
c) Rolling
d) All equal

40. What type of shape helps reduce drag in fluids?

a) Flat
b) Round
c) Irregular
d) Streamlined

Section F: True or False (1 mark each)

41. Friction can produce heat.

42. Static friction is lower than rolling friction.

43. Water is a fluid.

44. Friction always opposes motion.

45. Greasing a surface increases friction.

Section G: Assertion & Reasoning (1 mark each)

Choose: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.

b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation.
c) A is true, R is false.
d) A is false, R is true.

46. Assertion (A): Lubricants are used in machines.

Reason (R): Lubricants increase friction in moving parts.

47. Assertion (A): A fish can swim easily in water.

Reason (R): Its body has a streamlined shape.
48. Assertion (A): Sliding friction is more than rolling friction.
Reason (R): Rolling objects make less contact with the surface.

49. Assertion (A): A smooth surface always has more friction than a rough one.
Reason (R): Smooth surfaces have more irregularities.

50. Assertion (A): Tires of vehicles are made with treads.

Reason (R): Treads increase grip with the ground.