Question

Fill in the blanks
(a)Friction is known to oppose the _______ between the surfaces in contact with each other.
(b) Friction is dependent on the ______ of surfaces.
(c) Friction produces ______.
(d) We Sprinkle powder on the carrom board because it ______ friction.
(e) The magnitude of sliding friction is known to be ______ than that of static friction.

Answer 1

Recall the definition of friction as well as all the other related properties to find the answers for the given questions. Basically friction indicates opposition offered by the surface while two surfaces rub against each other. You may have noticed that rubbing your hands against each other makes it hot and also, you may find it more difficult to move something from rest but it gets easier after you start moving it. Keeping all these facts in mind, find the answer.

Complete answer:
In the question, we are given a set of fill in the blanks questions related to friction. Let us recall what friction is and then answer the question one by one.
We know that the force that is generated by two surfaces that are in contact and also sliding against each other is called frictional force. Basically, we could define friction as the property of the surfaces to oppose the relative motion against each other. Therefore, we could say that, Friction is known to oppose the relative motion between the surfaces in contact with each other.
Friction is known to arise from the action of the minute irregularities of harder surface tilling across the softer surface. Hence, we could say that surface texture has a very important effect on friction. So, we get that Friction is dependent on the texture/ nature of surfaces.
We know that when two bodies are rubbed against each other heat is produced. This is produced by friction between the surfaces. This property is behind the production of fire by rubbing stones. So, friction produces heat.
We know that we sprinkle powder on the carrom board so as to make the surface smooth for the easy movement of coins. That is, the opposition offered by the board surface is reduced on sprinkling powder. So, we Sprinkle powder on the carrom board because it reduces friction.
We know that sliding friction is the opposition offered by the surfaces on bodies that are sliding on it and static friction is the opposition by the surface on a stationary body. You may have observed that while moving furniture you may find it difficult to move it from rest but it gets easier when you start moving it. This is because friction is more when at rest than when sliding. So, we could say that, the sliding friction is ______ than the static friction.

Hence, the answers are:
(a) Relative motion
(b) Texture / nature
(c) Heat
(d) Reduces
(e) Less

Note:
Friction though by definition is an opposition to motion, it shouldn’t be considered undesirable. In fact, they have great advantages. It is due to friction between our legs and the ground that we are able to walk and also, friction in the clutch makes it possible to drive. Friction has many other advantages.