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What are the various types of friction? How is friction advantageous or disadvantageous in the field of games and sports? Explain with suitable examples.

Answer:

The force acting along two surfaces in contact which opposes the motion of one body over the other is called the force of friction. It is very important in sports. The larger the area of contact between the surfaces, the greater is the force of friction. When both the surfaces are smooth, the force of friction is reduced to almost zero.

Three types of friction are:

(i) Static Friction: The opposing force that comes into play when one body tends to move over another surface but the actual motion has not started.

(ii) Limiting Friction: The maximum opposing force that comes into play when one body is just on the verge of moving over the surface of other body.

(iii) Kinetic Friction: The opposing force that comes into play when one body is actually moving over the surface of another body.

Friction is mostly advantageous. It means that it is essential in games and sports. Without friction, we cannot give a better performance in the field of sport. Example: Spiked shoes are used by athletes for running and studs used in football boots of the players. However, friction has disadvantages also. In cycling, there should not be more friction between road surface and tyres of the cycle.