Sunday 14 May 2017

Friction

The Avengers used a SOLO Hot Map after reading 'Friction' by K.E. Anderson to show the different causes and effects of friction.


Friction occurs when two or more objects rub together. Friction creates heat, wears away surfaces, and hinders movement. Friction can be useful but it can also cause problems.

One cause of friction is the grooves on our finger tips. Our fingerprints create friction when we pick objects up. This stops things sliding out of our fingers.

Another cause of friction is the tread on tyres. The tread on tyres helps the car grip the road so that the wheels push us forward. Without friction wheels would spin on the spot rather than gripping the ground and pushing the car forward.

However sometimes friction can not be helpful. For example friction can waste energy because you have to push or pull harder to move a load. Friction also makes heat and wears out machinery, such as parts in a car engine.

There are occasions when we try and reduce friction such as when skiing. Skiers wax the bottom of their skis to make them shiny and smooth like the snow. When two smooth surfaces rub together there is less friction meaning the skier can move easily across the snow.

Overall friction can be useful or not depending on the situation. If you are moving a heavy object you would prefer less friction. However if you are wanting to walk up a muddy bank you would like lots of friction created by your shoes to stop you slipping and falling. Inventors need to think about whether they require a lot or a little friction in the different parts of their designs. For example if you were designing a car you would like a lot of friction created by the tyres but a little friction created between the moving engine parts.

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