Question

Friction is a necessary evil. Explain the statement giving examples.

Answer 1

Hint: We need to understand and analyze the advantages and the disadvantages of the frictional force to solve the given problem. We need to introspect the role of friction in our daily life that makes it necessary but also inevitable.

Complete step by step answer:
 Friction is the resistance offered by a body to oppose the motion of another body which is having a physical contact with it. Every surface and object offer a friction which acts against the force that moves an object. The frictional force can act only when any two surfaces are in contact. Even, the air provides a resistance against motion, which is the frictional force offered by the air.
Also, the frictional force causes the wear and tear of the parts which undergo constant rubbing with other parts in the moving parts of machineries. This adds the expenditure for maintenance of machineries.
Now, let us consider a situation in which there is no friction or a resistance to motion. Such a situation wouldn’t have let us learn all these now because without friction Sir Issac Newton couldn’t write. The friction enables us to write.
Besides writing, friction is responsible for making us walk, run automobiles on road, even keep a thing stable somewhere on a surface. The frictional force gives grip to all the contacts we make on any surface thus helping us control over motions.
From the above arguments we understand the friction that we cannot neglect friction.
Therefore, friction is a necessary evil.

Note: The frictional force has the sole responsibility for the requirement of a force always in the system to maintain the speed of motion. According to Newton’s first law of motion, no force is required for a constant speed to be maintained. But the frictional force results in the expenditure of force throughout the motion.