[frik-shuh
n] 
| 1. | surface resistance to relative motion, as of a body sliding or rolling. |
| 2. | the rubbing of the surface of one body against that of another. |
| 3. | dissension or conflict between persons, nations, etc., because of differing ideas, wishes, etc. |
| fric·tion (frĭk'shən) n.
[Latin frictiō, frictiōn-, from frictus, past participle of fricāre, to rub.] fric'tion·al adj., fric'tion·al·ly adv. |
The resistance of an object to the medium through which or on which it is traveling, such as air, water, or a solid floor.
friction fric·tion (frĭk'shən)
n.
The rubbing of one object or surface against another.
A physical force that resists the relative motion or tendency to such motion of two bodies in contact.
| friction (frĭk'shən) Pronunciation Key
A force on objects or substances in contact with each other that resists motion of the objects or substances relative to each other. ◇ Static friction arises between two objects that are not in motion with respect to each other, as for example between a cement block and a wooden floor. It increases to counterbalance forces that would move the objects, up to a certain maximum level of force, at which point the objects will begin moving. It is measured as the maximum force the bodies will sustain before motion occurs. ◇ Kinetic friction arises between bodies that are in motion with respect to each other, as for example the force that works against sliding a cement block along a wooden floor. Between two hard surfaces, the kinetic friction is usually somewhat lower than the static friction, meaning that more force is required to set the objects in motion than to keep them in motion. See also drag. |