Physics

Friction is a necessary evil: Explain with examples

Yes, friction is a necessary evil. While friction is useful while we walk, write, play, run, etc but it can also be harmful to us like fire accidents, wear, and tear. In this article, we explain and justify why we call friction a necessary evil with some examples and a comic strip.

Friction as a necessary evil explain with 3 examples

Heating effect of friction: The heating effect of friction is a necessity for us to light matchsticks. Friction is also needed to make a fire for useful purposes. But it can also turn into evil. Friction in nature can also create unwanted fires. Forest fires and fire accidents are examples of friction as evil.
The efficiency of a process: Friction is needed for machine parts like conveyor belts, engines, etc. But, the same friction reduces the efficiency of the process. Friction makes the machines consume more energy. This also has an evil impact on the environment.
Wear and tear: Friction helps us to walk and run. But the same friction causes wear and tear in our shoes. In cases, friction can also lead to injuries to our bodies.

Friction as a necessary evil example:

Some examples of friction as a necessity:

We are able to walk
Our glasses stay on our nose because of friction
Pin/clips/nail stay in place fixed
We are able to grip onto objects like phones, books, etc
Brakes in-car work based on friction
Your pants stay on your hips because of friction
Ring, earphones, headphones grip onto us due to friction
We are able to write on surfaces because of friction
The impact of meteors on earth is reduced

Some examples of friction as an evil:

Causes wear and tear
Unwanted fire accidents
Reduces efficiency of machines

You may also read our article on 50 examples of friction in our daily lives.

Friction as a necessity

Newton’s first law of motion says that an object in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by an external force. Friction is that external force. Without friction, we will not be able to stop moving objects. Also, friction provides reaction force which helps us to walk, write, hold onto objects, and fix nails onto walls.

Friction enables us to walk

When we walk, we apply a backward force towards the ground and push ourselves forward, the frictional force acts in response in the forward direction to propel us forward. This animation shows how difficult it is to walk without friction. Thus, imagining a world without friction would be very difficult.

Friction helps us to write on surfaces

The frictional force between the pencil and the paper causes a few particles of the pencil lead to remain on the surface of the paper. So, without friction, we would not be able to write.

Friction reduces the impact of meteors on Earth

example of friction is a necessary evil — Image of a meteor strike on Earth. Image by laocaohenmang from Pixabay

The heating effect of friction is an ideal “friction is a necessary evil” example. The friction between the meteor and the atmosphere heats it up and makes it burn and it shrinks in size due to air resistance. This heating effect becomes evil when it causes unwanted fires like forest fires.

Friction helps us to fix a nail to the wall

Fixing a nail unto surfaces-example of friction is a necessary evil — Fixing a nail to the wooden plank. Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

We are able to fix a nail on the wall because of friction. Without friction, the nail will slip out of the wall. This can become a “friction as a necessary evil” example when you want to remove the nails.

Friction as an evil

Wear and tear in objects like your shoes, bags, clothes, etc

wear and tear in shoes-example of friction is a necessary evil — Worn out shoes due to friction Source:https://pixabay.com/photos/hiking-shoes-hiking-shoes-1053157/

Friction causes wear and tear and results in the short life of the product. Without friction, any product should ideally last forever. The most commonly seen effect is the souls of shoes coming apart.

Energy consumption

Without friction, a car set in motion will never stop and won’t consume fuel, so friction decreases the efficiency of machines in terms of energy. This aspect of friction also creates an ecological problem due to the widespread emission of toxic gases into the atmosphere.