Rolling Friction: Definition, Diagram, Formula and Sample Questions

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Rolling Friction is a force that resists the motion of a rolling object on a surface. Rolling friction is also known as the rolling resistance. A solid moving body has two types of friction forces acting on it: rolling friction and sliding friction. 

Key Terms: Laws of Rolling Friction, Causes of Rolling Friction, Rolling Friction Examples, Sliding Friction, Rolling Resistance


Rolling Friction?

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Rolling friction is the resistive force offered by any surface which opposes the rolling motion of any object that rolls over it, thus causing it to slow down and eventually stop. Rolling friction is generated when a round or a spherical object rolls across a surface. It is also sometimes called rolling resistance or rolling drag.

Rolling Friction

Rolling Friction

Advantages and Disadvantages of Rolling Friction

Advantages:

  • It reduces the effort involved in moving objects. Stroller bags and conveyor belts are good examples where heavy objects can be moved with much ease.
  • A comfortable ride in vehicles. If the wheels of vehicles were based on sliding friction, then the ride would be very tiresome.
  • Roller skates enable us to move at much faster speeds compared to our shoes due to rolling friction.

Disadvantages:

  • There will be speed when rolling friction comes into action. But, there will also be a reduction in control and maneuvering capabilities. It is much easier to turn with our shoes than with roller skates.
  • Since rolling friction is less than sliding friction, it is difficult to walk on surfaces will rolling objects.

Laws of Rolling Friction 

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The three laws that are related to rolling friction are:

  • The force of rolling friction reduces with increased smoothness.
  • Rolling friction can be represented as a product of load and constant to a fractional power: F = kLn 
  • Rolling friction force is directly proportional to load and inversely proportional to the curvature radius: F = μ×W/r

Rolling Friction Explanation

 Rolling Friction Explanation

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Causes of Rolling Friction 

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There are certain things that happen when an item rolls on the surface. They are:

  • At the point of contact with the surface, the item is deformed.
  • At the point of contact of the item, the surface is deformed.
  • As a result of the above principles, the motion is formed under the surface.
Causes of Rolling Friction 
Causes of Rolling Friction

The fundamental reason for this friction is because the deformation energy is larger than the recovery energy. In addition, there is a continuous adhesive force between the two surfaces. 

The amount of friction depends on a number of parameters, for example:

  • The quality of sliding body 
  • The quality of the surface
  • Load
  • The rolling object's diameter
  • The body’s surface area

Coefficient of Rolling Friction 

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Although determining the coefficient of rolling friction is more complicated in comparison to sliding friction, it can very well be made easy with the help of the below statement and formula.

“Coefficient of Rolling Friction refers to the ratio of the rolling friction force to the total weight of the object.”

Formula:

Fr =μrW 

Where, 

  • Fr means the resistive force of rolling resistance
  • μr  means the coefficient of rolling resistance
  • W refers to the rolling body’s weight
Here, the object is pushing down on the wheels, preventing them from rolling backward while making it easier for the pulling force.

Here, the object is pushing down on the wheels, preventing them from rolling backward while making it easier for the pulling force.

Coefficient of Rolling Friction Solved Example

Example: Coefficient of rolling resistance for a steel wheel of 200 mm diameter that rolls on a horizontal steel roll, is 0.3 mm. The steel wheel carries a load of 600 N. The force necessary to roll the wheel along the rail is:

(a) 90N

(b) 180N

(c) 90kN

(d) 270N

Solution: The length of contact is the coefficient of rolling resistance.

The force necessary to roll the wheel is given by \({{F}_{R}}=\frac{{{\mu }_{R}}W}{R}\)

Where μR is the coefficient of rolling resistance

  • W = Load acting on the wheel
  • R = Radius of the wheel

Calculation:

We know, D = 200 mm, \(R=\frac{D}{2}=100~\text{mm}\), FR = 600 N, μR = 0.3 mm

\({{F}_{R}}=\frac{{{\mu }_{R}}W}{R}=\frac{600\times 0.3}{100}=1.8~N~\)

Examples of Rolling Friction

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  • A ball rolling on a field will travel less than a ball on a concrete floor since the friction on the former surface will be larger.
  • A basketball rolled on the court will end up stopping because of rolling friction.
  • Because of the higher rolling friction, a bike with a broad tire will burn more fuel.
Examples of Rolling Friction

Examples of Rolling Friction


Difference Between Rolling And Sliding Friction

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Difference Between Rolling And Sliding Friction is that Rolling friction takes place when an object rolls on the surface while Sliding friction occurs when two surfaces are rubbed against each other.

Rolling Friction Sliding Friction
When an item rolls on the surface, friction is rolling. The friction sliding happens if two surfaces are brushed.
Rolling friction occurs because of surface deformation. Due to interlocking between tiny surfaces, sliding friction occurs.
The rolling friction coefficient will depend on the rolling object radius, the depth to which it may sink, and the surface strength. The sliding friction coefficient varies to some extent on the surface roughness and the temperature. It is externally independent.
Rolling Friction coefficient: Fr = μrN Sliding friction coefficient: Fk = μrN

Things to Remember based on Rolling Friction

  • Rolling friction is the resistive force offered by any surface which opposes the rolling motion of any object that rolls over it, thus causing it to slow down and eventually stop.
  • The force of rolling friction reduces with increased smoothness.
  • Rolling friction force is directly proportional to load and inversely proportional to the curvature radius.
  • The item and the surface are deformed at the point of contact.
  • A ball rolling on a field will travel lesser than a ball on a concrete floor since the friction on the former surface will be larger.

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Sample Questions based on Rolling Friction

Ques. Give the formula for the coefficient of rolling resistance. (1 mark)

Ans. The formula for the coefficient for rolling friction is:

Fr=μrW

Ques. What is rolling friction? (2 marks)

Ans. Rolling Friction is referred to as the force that resists the motion of a rolling object on a surface. This is also known as the rolling resistance. A solid moving body has two types of friction forces acting on it: rolling friction and sliding friction

Ques. Rolling friction depends on which factors? (2 marks)

Ans. Rolling friction force is directly proportional to load and inversely proportional to curvature radius.

Ques. State the effects of rolling friction. (3 marks)

Ans. As a result of rolling friction, certain changes take place. They are:

  • At the point of contact with the surface, the item is deformed.
  • At the point of contact of the item, the surface is deformed.
  • As a result of the above principles, the motion is formed under the surface.

Ques. When two surfaces are rubbed together, what kind of friction is created? (2 marks)

Ans. Sliding friction may be defined as the resistance generated by both objects as they slide against one other. This friction is also referred to as kinetic friction and the force required to keep a surface moving over another surface.

Ques. What are the causes of rolling friction? (3 marks)

Ans. The fundamental reason for this friction is that the deformation energy is larger than the recovery energy. In addition, there is a continuous adhesive force between the two surfaces. 

The amount of friction depends on a number of parameters, for example:

  • The quality of sliding body 
  • The quality of the surface
  • Load
  • The rolling object's diameter
  • The body’s surface area

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