Film title: What is friction?
People drive very carefully when the roads are icy so they don't skid.
But have you ever wondered why a car slides, or skids, when the road is icy?
It's all to do with friction.
Friction
Friction is the force between two surfaces rubbing together.
friction
force between two surfaces
rubbing together
Friction always acts in the opposite direction to the intended movement of any object.
So if a car is moving forwards, friction must act in the opposite direction along the road's surface where the tyre touches the road.
Friction always slows a moving object down.
friction
slows a moving object down
The amount of friction...
And how much the object slows down, depends on the type of surface.
A smooth surface creates little friction...
And objects can move over it easily.
smooth surface
creates little friction
So a skater can glide across a smooth ice rink...
And a bowling ball can slide down a polished lane.
A rough surface creates lots of friction.
rough surface
creates lots of friction
That's why car tyres can grip the rough surface of the road.
But if the road gets icy, it becomes smoother.
There is less friction between the road and the wheels, and a car is more likely to skid.
Friction is the
force between two
surfaces rubbing
together.
But have you ever wondered why a car slides, or skids, when the road is icy?
It's all to do with friction.
Friction
Friction is the force between two surfaces rubbing together.
friction
force between two surfaces
rubbing together
Friction always acts in the opposite direction to the intended movement of any object.
So if a car is moving forwards, friction must act in the opposite direction along the road's surface where the tyre touches the road.
Friction always slows a moving object down.
friction
slows a moving object down
The amount of friction...
And how much the object slows down, depends on the type of surface.
A smooth surface creates little friction...
And objects can move over it easily.
smooth surface
creates little friction
So a skater can glide across a smooth ice rink...
And a bowling ball can slide down a polished lane.
A rough surface creates lots of friction.
rough surface
creates lots of friction
That's why car tyres can grip the rough surface of the road.
But if the road gets icy, it becomes smoother.
There is less friction between the road and the wheels, and a car is more likely to skid.
Friction is the
force between two
surfaces rubbing
together.
Without this force, it would be a very slippery world!
Learning points
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