Question

The quantity in electricity analogous to friction in linear mechanical motion is
(A) resistance
(B) inductance
(C) potential
(D) charge

Answer 1

Hint: In mechanical motion the friction is a force that opposes the motion of a body in a direction. Resistance is similarly the quantity that provides the opposition to the flow of current in a wire.

Complete step by step solution:
Friction is a force that acts between two surfaces that are sliding or are trying to slide on one another. It is the force that acts in the direction which is opposite to the direction of motion of the bodies. For a moving body, it tries to slow down the motion of the body. The amount of friction between two surfaces depends on the material of the surfaces. The more rough the surface is, more is the friction between the surfaces. The frictions between the two surfaces also produce heat.
Similarly in case of the electrical wires, resistance is the opposition that is provided to the flow of current. It depends on the length of the wire, its thickness and the resistivity of the material of the wire. The higher is the resistance, the lower is the current in the wire and vice versa. Many components such as heating elements and resistors have the value of resistance printed on the surface.
So since, both the friction and the resistance oppose the motion of two surfaces and current respectively, so resistance in electricity is analogous to friction in linear mechanical motion.
Hence the correct answer is option A.

Note:
The resistance in metal wires occurs because current flowing through a wire means the electrons flowing in the opposite direction. These electrons collide with the atoms and the impurities in the wire. These collisions cause resistance and generate heat.