Friction is the force that opposes the relative motion between two surfaces in contact. It depends on the roughness and force pressing the surfaces together. Static friction occurs when an object does not move due to an applied force, while kinetic friction acts on a moving object. The coefficients of static and kinetic friction determine the maximum frictional forces and depend on the materials in contact. Problems apply concepts like free body diagrams and force equations to calculate minimum applied forces to initiate and sustain motion on inclined planes and over surfaces, accounting for effects of friction.