Friction

The Force of Friction Video Tutorial discusses the nature and cause of friction, the types of friction, and the mathematics of friction. It features three animations and two sample problems.

The video lesson answers the following questions:

What is friction?
What are the factors that affect the force of friction?
What is the friction equation and how can it be used in problem-solving situations?

Video

You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:

Additional and Related Learning Tools

Calculator Pad - Newton's Laws: Questions #11 - #30
Have problems? Try the Calculator Pad. This section of our website consists of problems sets on the various topics of Physics. You will find varying problems with answers and audio-guided solutions. It's a great way to practice solving Newton's second law problems, some of which include friction forces.

Concept Builder: Solve It! With F=ma
This Concept Builder provides great practice with solving for acceleration. There are three levels of difficulty with 2-3 unique problems at each level. Feedback to answers is immediate. The third level includes the friction force and the need to use the force of friction equation.

Minds On Physics, Part 2: Newton's Laws Module, Missions NL9
If you're serious about learning Physics, there may be no better tool than Minds On Physics. This rigorous program is available on phones and tablets and will give you the workout you need to strengthen your Physics muscles. Mission NL9 has eight different problems to challenge your skill at solving F=ma problems. Some of the problems involve friction.

Physics Classroom Tutorial - Newton's Laws Chapter, Lesson 2: Force Types
Our wirtten Tutorial is a reliable location to quickly brush up on a topic. Our Force Types page discusses all the different types of forces ... with friction being among the list.

Teacher Resources

Teacher Toolkits: Newton's Second Law
Teacher Toolkits provide teachers a collection of annotated links to vetted resources on the internet that are standards-based and multimedia reliant. This particular Toolkit is on Newton's Second Law and should assist a teacher in finding resources for planning lessons that are next steps to this video.

Curriculum Corner: Newton's Laws Chapter
The Curriculum Corner provides classroom-ready Think Sheets that fuel great in-class discussions. The think sheets on Newton's Second Law of Motion, Net Force and Acceleration, and Newton's Second Law, and (most importantly) Friction might be great follow-ups to this video tutorial.

Physics Interactive: Force
Our Interactives section provides short simulations that allow students to manipulate a variable and observe its impact upon a motion. This one is perfect for helping students view the connection between mass, net force, and the resulting acceleration. It comes with two classroom-ready activity sheets, one of which provides a lot of attention to the role of friction.

Concept Builder: Solve It! With F=ma
Concept Builkders are great for formative assessent! This particular one has students solving a problem, getting feedback, and making corrections until they have mastered the problem. There are three levels of difficulty and the third one has the force of friction as a major component.

Calculator Pad - Newton's Laws: Questions #11 - #30
The Calculator Pad is our go-to location for problems sets on the various topics of Physics. You will find varying problems with answers and audio-guided solutions. It's a great way to practice. Any of questions #11 through #30 would provide great practice solving problems with the Newton's second law equation. Some of those problems include friction.

Lesson Notes

Download (opens in a new tab) or view below

Slides

Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.