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Static and Kinetic Frictional Force

Static 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...

Characteristics of Dry Friction

Characteristics 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...

Frictional Force

Frictional 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...

Kinetic Friction

Kinetic Friction

Consider a truck trying to pull a stationary car. As the truck exerts a force on the car, static friction is created at the point of contact between the two surfaces. This frictional force resists the car's movement and keeps it at rest. However, when the applied force by the truck surpasses the limiting static frictional force, an interesting phenomenon occurs. The frictional force at the interface reduces to a lower value, known as the kinetic frictional force. At this point, the car...

Static Friction

Static 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...

Dry Friction

Dry Friction

Dry friction occurs between two solid surfaces in contact as they attempt to move relative to one another. In daily life, dry friction is encountered in various forms, such as when walking on the ground, sliding an object across a table, or rubbing hands together. Despite its ubiquity, the underlying mechanisms behind dry friction are not readily visible.
To illustrate this concept, imagine a wooden crate resting on a rough, non-uniform horizontal surface. When an external force is applied to...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2025

Fabrication of Gate-tunable Graphene Devices for Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Studies with Coulomb Impurities

Fabrication of Gate-tunable Graphene Devices for Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Studies with Coulomb Impurities

Published on: July 24, 2015

Dynamically tuning friction at the graphene interface using the field effect.

Gus Greenwood¹, Jin Myung Kim^2,3, Shahriar Muhammad Nahid⁴

¹Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.

Nature Communications

|September 19, 2023

Summary

External electric fields dynamically control friction in 2D materials like graphene. This study reveals unexpectedly enhanced, tunable friction between graphene and semiconducting tips, offering new possibilities for micro- and nanoscale devices.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Tribology

Background:

Controlling friction in micro/nanoscale devices is crucial.
Direct electrical bias can cause unwanted reactions.
External electric fields offer an alternative control method.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate friction control using external electric fields.
Explore the behavior of 2D materials, specifically graphene.
Understand friction mechanisms influenced by electric fields.

Main Methods:

Utilized an atomic force microscope (AFM) setup.
Studied friction between single-layer graphene and AFM tips.
Applied external electric fields to the system.

Main Results:

Observed electrostatically controllable adhesion as the primary effect.
Discovered unexpectedly enhanced and highly tunable friction between graphene and semiconducting tips.
Identified specific conditions leading to this friction enhancement.

Conclusions:

External electric fields can effectively tune friction in graphene systems.
The enhanced friction is linked to unique interactions with semiconducting tips.
Further research into electron-phonon coupling and viscous electronic flow is warranted for understanding dissipation mechanisms.