{"id":246094,"date":"2025-01-27T16:00:06","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T08:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/?p=246094"},"modified":"2025-08-04T16:39:01","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T08:39:01","slug":"forces-identifying-factors-that-affect-frictional-force","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/forces-identifying-factors-that-affect-frictional-force\/","title":{"rendered":"Forces: Identifying Factors That Affect Frictional Force"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Have you ever tried pulling a heavy object like a box full of toys? Did you use any tool to pull it easier?<\/p>\n

In this Forces blog post, we will be reviewing how frictional force acts on the surface of the floor and the material that you are pulling.<\/p>\n

We will also discuss what factors might make an object easier or harder to pull.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, you can also watch my explainer video<\/a> for free by visiting our YouTube channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n

Let’s Take A Look At This Forces Question<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Source: Nanyang Primary School \u2013 P5 SA2 Examination Paper [Q25]<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Read Also:<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Ultimate Science Practice Series: Forces (Practice Questions & Explainer Videos)<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. [Primary 5 Science Explainer Video] In Which Set-up Will The Box Be Most Difficult To Move?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  3. 5 Easy Steps To Conquer Questions On Forces<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

    The question wants us to choose the scenario where Kenneth will find it the most difficult<\/strong> to move the box along the floor.<\/p>\n

    Let us examine the photos in each option. There is one object that is common among all four options that Kenneth is using to pull the box. What is it?<\/p>\n

    It is the rope<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Source: Nanyang Primary School \u2013 P5 SA2 Examination Paper [Q25]<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

    But looking at the images, you will see that there are some options wherein aside from the rope, Kenneth added something else to the set-up.<\/p>\n

    Which options are these?<\/p>\n

    In option (1)<\/strong>, Kenneth used a<\/strong> cart with wheels<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    In option (3)<\/strong>, Kenneth applied oil at the bottom of the box<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    In option (4)<\/strong>, Kenneth rubbed the rope with oil<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Meanwhile, in option (2)<\/strong> Kenneth only used a rope<\/strong> without adding anything.<\/p>\n

    So which option should we start analysing from?<\/p>\n

    We can start analysing from option (2), where Kenneth only used the rope without adding anything else. We can use it as a basis for comparison to other options.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    <\/h2>\n

    Let’s Analyse Option (2)<\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Let us identify the forces acting on the box.<\/p>\n

    Kenneth is pulling<\/strong> <\/span>the box to the right side using a rope.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Are there any other forces acting on the box?<\/p>\n

    Remember that there is one force that acts on all objects at all times. What do you call that force?<\/p>\n

    It is gravitational force<\/strong><\/span>! Let us label our diagram with GF<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0for gravitational force<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Is there any other force acting on the box?<\/p>\n

    There is! While Kenneth is pulling the box, the box is rubbing against the floor. What do you call the force between the two surfaces rubbing against each other?<\/p>\n

    It is frictional force<\/strong><\/span>!<\/p>\n

    In which direction should we draw frictional force<\/strong><\/span>?<\/p>\n

    Let\u2019s recall. Does friction go along or oppose motion? Friction opposes motion<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

    Since Kenneth is pulling the box to the right, friction should be to the left. We will use FF<\/span><\/strong> to label frictional force<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    After labelling our forces, we have to figure out what might cause Kenneth to find it difficult to pull the box.<\/p>\n

    Since Kenneth is pulling the box to the right, there must be a force holding him back to make it difficult for him to pull the box.<\/p>\n

    Is it frictional force or gravitational force? It is the frictional force that is causing him to find it difficult to pull the box to the right!<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Let’s Compare Options (2) & (1)<\/h2>\n

    Let\u2019s compare option (2) with option (1).<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    In option (1), a cart with wheels was added to the setup.<\/p>\n

    What do wheels<\/strong> do to the frictional force between the box and the floor?<\/p>\n

    It reduces<\/strong> the friction between the box and the floor.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Since the wheels reduce friction, do you think Kenneth will find it easier<\/strong> or harder<\/strong> to pull the box as compared to option (2)?<\/p>\n

    It will be easier<\/strong> for Kenneth to pull the box in option (1) than in option (2).<\/p>\n

    Let’s Compare Options (2) & (3)<\/h2>\n

    Now, let us compare option (2) with option (3).<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    In the third setup, oil was added at the bottom of the box.<\/p>\n

    \n

    \ud83d\udd0e\u00a0What Will Oil Do To The Setup? \ud83d\udd0e<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Oil is a lubricant. Lubricants make the surface they are applied to smoother.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Because the oil acts as a lubricant, the frictional force between the box and the floor will be reduced.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Therefore Kenneth will find it easier to pull option (3), the box with oil at the bottom compared to option (2).<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Let\u2019s Compare Options (2) & (4)<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Finally, let us analyse option (4), wherein the rope was rubbed with oil.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Have you touched oil before?<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s very slippery, right?<\/p>\n

    When you add oil to the rope, do you think Kenneth will find it easier<\/strong> or harder<\/strong> to grip onto the rope?<\/p>\n

    He will definitely find it harder<\/strong> to grip the rope!<\/p>\n

    This means that between options (2) and (4), Kenneth will find it more difficult to pull (4) because the rope with oil will be harder to grip.<\/p>\n

    After analysing all four options, in which scenario will Kenneth find it most difficult to move the box along the floor?<\/p>\n

    It will be option (4).<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Suggested Answer For Q12<\/h2>\n

    Option (4)<\/p>\n

    Conclusion<\/h2>\n

    The different forces acting on the box are:<\/p>\n

    \n

    1\ufe0f\u20e3\u00a0Pull Force<\/p>\n

    2\ufe0f\u20e3\u00a0Gravitational Force<\/p>\n

    3\ufe0f\u20e3\u00a0Frictional Force<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Because friction opposes motion, it makes pulling the box harder. So when you use other tools like a cart with wheels or put oil at the bottom of the box, it becomes easier to pull the box because these factors reduce friction.<\/p>\n

    Stay tuned for more Forces<\/a> blog posts!<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

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    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    In this article, we will be analysing a question on Forces from the Nanyang Primary School (NYPS) P5 SA2 Examination Paper.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":246096,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3,50,20,6],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"modified_by":"Jaimie Aberia","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246094"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=246094"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246094\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":246576,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246094\/revisions\/246576"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/246096"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=246094"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=246094"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=246094"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=246094"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}