Friction: The Force That Slows

What You'll Learn

Friction is a force that opposes motion between surfaces that touch. Rough surfaces create more friction than smooth ones. Without friction, you could not walk or grip objects.

Key Words

inertia
momentum
acceleration

Materials Needed

blocks
spring scale
stopwatch
pencils
toy cars

Safety First

Dispose of materials properly after the experiment.
Handle glass items carefully to avoid breakage.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Read and learn: Friction is a force that opposes motion between surfaces that touch. Rough surfaces create more friction than smooth ones. Without friction, you could not walk or grip objects.

Step 2 — Do

Create a labeled diagram of what you built or observed.

Step 3 — Observe

Draw a picture of what you observe.

Step 4 — Record

Answer the questions based on your data.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What does friction do?