Friction

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Friction is the force resisting the relative lateral (tangential) motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, or material elements in contact. It is usually subdivided into several varieties:

Friction is not a fundamental force, as it is derived from electromagnetic force between charged particles, including electrons, protons, atoms, and molecules, and so cannot be calculated from first principles, but instead must be found empirically. When contacting surfaces move relative to each other, the friction between the two surfaces converts kinetic energy into thermal energy, or heat. Contrary to earlier explanations, kinetic friction is now understood not to be caused by surface roughness but by chemical bonding between the surfaces. Surface roughness and contact area, however, do affect kinetic friction for micro- and nano-scale objects where surface area forces dominate inertial forces.

For more information about Friction, read the full article at Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.


News tagged with friction


Quantitative approach to forensic fingerprint comparison studied

Technology / Computer Sciences

created 2 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has awarded researchers at Virginia Tech a two-year, $854,907 grant to develop a quantitative approach to measuring and establishing a standard for "sufficiency" of information available ...





Search results for friction


Engineer Discovers Why Particles Like Flour Disperse on Liquids

Engineer Discovers Why Particles Like Flour Disperse on Liquids

Physics / General Physics

created Nov 16, 2009 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (15) | comments 2

(PhysOrg.com) -- Even if you are not a cook, you might have wondered why a pinch of flour (or any small particles) thrown into a bowl of water will disperse in a dramatic fashion, radiating outward as if it ...


Nanotech in Space: Experiment To Weather the Trials of Orbit

Nanotech in Space: Experiment To Weather the Trials of Orbit

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

created Nov 24, 2009 | popularity 4 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Novel nanomaterials developed at Rensselaer were sent into orbit on Nov. 16 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis.


Nanotech in Space: Rensselaer Experiment To Weather the Trials of Orbit

Nanotech in Space: Rensselaer Experiment To Weather the Trials of Orbit

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

created Nov 12, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Novel nanomaterials developed at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are scheduled to blast off into orbit on November 16 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis.


Developing 'green' tires that boost mileage and cut carbon dioxide emissions

Space & Earth / Environment

created Nov 18, 2009 | popularity 3 / 5 (2) | comments 0

A new generation of "green" automobile tires that can boost fuel efficiency without sacrificing safety and durability is rolling their way through the research pipeline. The new tires could help add an extra mile or two per ...


Google Voice 'light' works with existing cell phone numbers

Technology / Internet

created Oct 30, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Google Voice, the service that can route calls to multiple phone numbers and access voice mail, is now available on users' existing cell phone numbers.


Superconductor magnet heat shield being developed

Superconductor magnet spacecraft heat shield being developed

Physics / General Physics

created Nov 26, 2009 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (40) | comments 28

(PhysOrg.com) -- European space agencies and an aerospace giant are developing a new re-entry heat shield that will use superconductor magnets to generate a magnetic field strong enough to deflect the superhot ...


NASA Assessing New Roles for Ailing QuikScat Satellite

NASA Assessing New Roles for Ailing QuikScat Satellite

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 24, 2009 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA mission managers are assessing options for future operations of the venerable QuikScat satellite following the age-related failure of a mechanism that spins the scatterometer antenna. ...


Bacterial 'ropes' tie down shifting Southwest

Bacterial 'ropes' tie down shifting Southwest

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Nov 17, 2009 | popularity 4.4 / 5 (5) | comments 0

Researchers from Arizona State University have discovered that several species of microbes (cyanobacteria), at least one found prominently in the deserts of the Southwest, have evolved the trait of rope-building ...


Cross-country runabouts -- immune cells on the move

Cross-country runabouts -- immune cells on the move

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Nov 17, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- In order to effectively fight pathogens, even at remote areas of the human body, immune cells have to move quickly and in a flexible manner.


Battery Research Aims To Store Renewable Energy

Battery Research Aims To Store Renewable Energy

Technology / Energy

created Nov 19, 2009 | popularity 4.1 / 5 (13) | comments 6

The biggest chemical battery in the United States is located near Interstate 90 in the small town of Luverne, Minn. The 80 ton device -- the size of two tractor-trailers stacked on top of each other -- stores ...



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