Question

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of friction.

Answer 1

Advantages of friction: Friction is a necessity in most of our day-to-day activities. It is desirable in most situations of our daily life.

1. We can hold any object in our hands due to friction.
2. We can walk on the road because of friction. The footwear and the ground help us to walk without slipping.
3. Writing easily with a pen on paper is due to friction.
4. Automobiles can move safely due to friction between the tires and the road. Brakes can be applied due to frictional resistance on brake shoes.
5. We are able to light a matchstick, sew clothes, tie a knot or fix a nail in the wall because of friction. Though it is giving a negative effect, in most of our day-to-day life friction helps us to make our life easy. So, it is called a “necessary evil”.

Disadvantages of friction:

1. Friction wears out the surfaces rubbing with each other, like screws and gears in machines or soles of shoes.
2. To overcome the friction an excess amount of effort has to be given to operating a machine. This leads to the wastage of energy.
3. Friction produces heat, which causes physical damage to the machines.