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Lesson 05 – How Friction Helps Us

Forces and Movement Forces and Movement Lesson 05 – How Friction Helps Us

Read About How Friction Helps Us

Vocabulary

Read the vocabulary terms to understand the reading better.

Friction is a force created when things rub against each other.

Slipping means to move easily and smoothly across a surface.

A surface is the outside or top part of something.

How Friction Helps Us

How does friction help us in daily life? Friction stops us from slipping.

Slippery Ice

There can be lots of ice on sidewalks in winter. Ice is very smooth, so ice is easy to slip and hurt yourself on. Why? A smooth surface rubbing against a smooth surface creates very little friction.

Winter boots help us from slipping on ice. Why? A rough surface rubbing against a smooth surface creates medium friction. Winter boots have rough soles that create friction. Friction slows or stops movement. The rough soles on boots stop us from slipping on ice.

Sometimes people put sand on ice. Sand makes the ice surface rough. It is harder to slip on sandy ice. The sand creates friction between the ice and your boots.

Slippery Stairs

Slipping on stairs is very dangerous. You could hurt yourself badly if you fall down the stairs.

Stairs are often made of smooth wood. When shoes rub against smooth wood, there might not be enough friction. The shoes might slip off the step. Socks are even worse.

Carpet can add friction to stairs. Rough strips of material work, too. The added friction stops people from slipping.

Now Show What You Know!

Complete some questions about the reading selection by clicking “Begin Questions” below.

Read About How Friction Helps Us

Vocabulary

Read the vocabulary terms to understand the reading better.

Friction is a force created when things rub against each other.

Slipping means to move easily and smoothly across a surface.

A surface is the outside or top part of something.

How Friction Helps Us

How does friction help us in daily life? Friction stops us from slipping.

Slippery Ice

There can be lots of ice on sidewalks in winter. Ice is very smooth, so ice is easy to slip and hurt yourself on. Why? A smooth surface rubbing against a smooth surface creates very little friction.

Winter boots help us from slipping on ice. Why? A rough surface rubbing against a smooth surface creates medium friction. Winter boots have rough soles that create friction. Friction slows or stops movement. The rough soles on boots stop us from slipping on ice.

Sometimes people put sand on ice. Sand makes the ice surface rough. It is harder to slip on sandy ice. The sand creates friction between the ice and your boots.

Slippery Stairs

Slipping on stairs is very dangerous. You could hurt yourself badly if you fall down the stairs.

Stairs are often made of smooth wood. When shoes rub against smooth wood, there might not be enough friction. The shoes might slip off the step. Socks are even worse.

Carpet can add friction to stairs. Rough strips of material work, too. The added friction stops people from slipping.

Now Show What You Know!

Complete some questions about the reading selection by clicking “Begin Questions” below.