Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
12:21
Determination of the Friction Coefficients of Icy Pavements Under Different Amounts of Snowfall
Published on: January 6, 2023
Friction on ice: stick and slip
Jane R Blackford1, Gerasimos Skouvaklis, Marc Purser
1Institute for Materials and Processes, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JL, UK.
Faraday Discussions
|January 5, 2013
Summary
Investigating ice friction and adhesion, this study reveals how material properties and temperature affect steel and PMMA. Static friction increases over time, with distinct temperature behaviors observed for metal and polymer interfaces.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Tribology
- Physics of Ice
Background:
- Historical investigations by Faraday laid groundwork for understanding ice behavior.
- Ice friction and adhesion are critical in engineering, winter sports, and natural environments.
- Current knowledge requires further exploration of material interactions with ice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the historical development and current state of knowledge in ice friction and adhesion.
- To report new experimental results on static and dynamic friction of steel and PMMA on ice.
- To interpret friction behavior by analyzing interfacial and bulk material processes.
Main Methods:
- Experimental measurement of static and dynamic friction for steel and PMMA on ice.
- Testing conducted over a temperature range of -3 to -13 degrees C.
- Analysis of material properties including stiffness, plastic deformation, creep, and thermal/physicochemical characteristics.
Main Results:
- Static friction increases with increasing contact time.
- Distinct temperature-dependent friction behaviors were observed for steel (metal) and PMMA (polymer).
- Interfacial and bulk material processes were identified as key to interpreting friction phenomena.
Conclusions:
- The differing chemical and thermomechanical properties of steel, PMMA, and ice influence friction.
- Material stiffness, deformation, creep, and the ductile/brittle transition of ice are crucial factors.
- Understanding these complex interactions is vital for applications involving ice contact.
Related Concept Videos
01:05Static and Kinetic Frictional Force
One of the simpler characteristics of sliding friction is that it is parallel to the contact surfaces between systems, and is always in a direction that opposes the motion or attempted motion of the systems relative to each other. If two systems are in contact and moving relative to one another, then the friction between them is called kinetic friction. For example, kinetic friction slows a hockey puck sliding on ice.
However, if two systems are in contact and are stationary relative to one...
However, if two systems are in contact and are stationary relative to one...
01:07Frictional Force
When a body is in motion, it encounters resistance because the body interacts with its surroundings. This resistance is known as friction, a common yet complex force whose behavior is still not completely understood. Friction opposes relative motion between systems in contact, but also allows us to move. Friction arises in part due to the roughness of surfaces in contact. For one object to move along a surface, it must rise to where the peaks of the surface can skip along the bottom of the...
01:14Rolling With Slipping
Rolling with slipping is a physical phenomenon that occurs when a rolling object experiences both rotational and linear motion but also experiences frictional forces that cause slipping. This phenomenon can occur in various situations, such as when a tire rolls on a wet road or a ball rolls on a rough surface.
An object's rolling motion is characterized by its rotation around its axis, while linear motion refers to the object's translational motion along a surface. Frictional forces can affect...
An object's rolling motion is characterized by its rotation around its axis, while linear motion refers to the object's translational motion along a surface. Frictional forces can affect...
01:27Types of Friction Problems
Friction is an essential concept in physics, engineering, and everyday life. It is the force that opposes the relative motion or tendency of such motion between two surfaces in contact. One of the most common types of friction encountered in various applications is dry friction. Dry friction problems can be broadly categorized into three types, each with unique characteristics and challenges.
The first type of dry friction problem involves situations where there is no apparent impending motion.
The first type of dry friction problem involves situations where there is no apparent impending motion.
01:21Characteristics of Dry Friction
Dry friction occurs when two solid surfaces slide against each other without any lubrication or fluid present. It causes resistance when pushing objects along a surface, like a gardener pushing a wheelbarrow. The force applied to move the cart causes dry friction between the wheel and the ground.
Before the wheelbarrow starts moving, the static frictional force acts tangentially to the contact surface, opposing the force that is about to induce the motion. This frictional force prevents the...
Before the wheelbarrow starts moving, the static frictional force acts tangentially to the contact surface, opposing the force that is about to induce the motion. This frictional force prevents the...
01:18Static Friction
Static friction is a force that opposes the relative motion or tendency of motion between two surfaces in contact. It plays a crucial role in our daily lives, from walking on the ground to driving a car.
For example, consider a scenario where a truck is connected to a car by a rope, ready to tow it along a road. When no external force is applied by the truck, the car remains stationary and is said to be in static equilibrium. In this case, the forces acting on the car, such as gravity and the...
For example, consider a scenario where a truck is connected to a car by a rope, ready to tow it along a road. When no external force is applied by the truck, the car remains stationary and is said to be in static equilibrium. In this case, the forces acting on the car, such as gravity and the...