Friction

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/friction

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the key consequences?Leads to wear of materials and dissipation of energy, primarily as heat
2. What is friction and why does it help us walk?Friction is a force that stops surfaces from sliding against each other. It comes from tiny bumps and bonds that need energy to break, so we can walk without falling.
3. How does friction help us make fire?By rubbing two materials together, the friction creates heat that can ignite a spark. This was a big step for early humans.

Asperities: Microscopic peaks and valleys on the surface of materials that contribute to friction.
Adhesion: The tendency of dissimilar particles or surfaces to cling to one another.
Energy Dissipation: The process by which mechanical energy is converted into other forms, often heat, due to friction.