Have you ever wondered why you don’t slip while walking?
Or why does a moving bicycle slowly stop when you stop pedalling?
The answer is friction.
This article is written for students of Class 6–8 in simple English.
You will learn:
What friction is
How friction helps us
Advantages and disadvantages of friction
Real-life examples you see every day
This is an evergreen topic and is very important for school exams.
Also See: What Is Physics?
What Is Friction?
Friction is a force that opposes motion between two surfaces that are in contact.
In simple words:
Friction is the force that slows down or stops moving objects.
Whenever one object moves over another, friction acts.
When Does Friction Act?
Friction acts when:
Two surfaces touch each other
One surface moves or tries to move over the other
Examples:
Walking on the road
Writing with a pen
A car moving on the road
Rubbing hands together
In all these cases, friction is present.
Why Is Friction Important in Daily Life?
Without friction:
We could not walk
Vehicles could not move safely
Objects would keep slipping
Writing would not be possible
So, friction is not always a bad thing.
In fact, friction helps us in many ways.
How Friction Helps Us
1. Helps Us Walk
When we walk:
Our foot pushes the ground backwards
Friction between the foot and ground pushes us forward
Without friction, we would slip and fall.
2. Helps Vehicles Move and Stop
Tyres grip the road due to friction
Brakes work because of friction
If there were no friction:
Vehicles would not stop
Roads would be very dangerous
3. Helps Us Write
Friction between the pen and paper allows writing
Without friction, the pen would slip
That is why smooth surfaces are hard to write on.
4. Helps Hold Objects
We can hold books, bags, and bottles because of friction
Friction between the hand and the object prevents slipping
5. Produces Heat When Needed
Rubbing hands together produces heat
Lighting a matchstick uses friction
This shows that friction can be useful.
Real-Life Uses of Friction
Students see friction every day, such as:
Walking without slipping
Erasing pencil marks
Cycling on the road
Playing sports
Wearing shoes with grip
These examples help understand friction easily.
Advantages of Friction
Friction is useful in many ways.
Main advantages of friction:
Helps us walk and run
Helps vehicles stop
Helps write and draw
Helps hold objects
Makes daily activities possible
Without friction, life would be very difficult.
Disadvantages of Friction
Even though friction helps us, it also has some disadvantages.
1. Causes Wear and Tear
Machine parts wear out due to friction
Tyres and shoe soles get damaged
2. Produces Unwanted Heat
Friction causes heating in machines
Excess heat can damage parts
3. Reduces Speed
Moving objects slows down
Vehicles need more fuel
This is why friction is sometimes not desired.
Comparison Table: Advantages and Disadvantages of Friction
| Advantages of Friction | Disadvantages of Friction |
|---|---|
| Helps us walk | Causes wear and tear |
| Helps vehicles stop | Produces unwanted heat |
| Helps us write | Reduces speed |
| Helps hold objects | Wastes energy |
| Makes daily life possible | Increases fuel use |
This table is very useful for exam answers.
Is Friction Always Good or Always Bad?
No.
Friction can be:
Useful when we need control and grip
Harmful when it causes damage or energy loss
That is why in machines:
Friction is reduced using oil or grease
Smooth surfaces are used
How Do We Reduce Friction?
Friction can be reduced by:
Using oil or grease
Making surfaces smooth
Using wheels instead of sliding
This helps machines work better.
Why This Topic Is Important for Exams
Teachers ask this topic because:
It is easy to relate to daily life
It tests basic understanding
It is suitable for short and long answers
Common exam questions:
What is friction?
Write two advantages of friction
Write two disadvantages of friction
How does friction help us walk?
Understanding this article helps you score full marks.
Final Summary for Students
Friction is a force that opposes motion
It acts between touching surfaces
Friction helps us walk, write, and stop vehicles
Friction also causes wear and heat
Friction is both useful and harmful
This is an important Class 6–8 topic
