What does friction mean?
Word: Friction
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Friction means the force that slows things down when two surfaces rub against each other; also disagreement between people.
Synonyms: rubbing, resistance, conflict, tension
Antonyms: agreement
How do you spell friction?
Syllables: fric - tion
Tricky part: The k sound is a plain c: fric-tion, with no k or ck.
Watch out for: friktion, frickton, frikshun
Memory tip: Rub your hands together and feel the friction: the r of rub comes straight after the f.
Friction in a sentence
Example 1: Oil reduces friction between the moving parts of a machine.
Example 2: Without friction, your shoes would slide on the floor like skates on ice.
Example 3: There was some friction between the two teams after the disputed goal.
Fun Fact
A matchstick lights because friction against the rough strip on the box makes enough heat to start the chemicals in its head burning.
Practise the CREST Way
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
cifnoirt
a) function
b) friction
c) fraction
d) infection
Show answer
b) friction. Fraction needs an a, function a u and no r, and infection an e and a second n; these eight letters make friction.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
friction
a) silence
b) distance
c) harmony
d) rivalry
Show answer
c) harmony. When friction means disagreement, a team without it works in harmony.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
If you rub your palms together quickly on a cold morning, the frictoin will warm them up in a few seconds.
a) frictoin
b) palms
c) seconds
d) morning
Show answer
a) frictoin. The ending is tion, with the i before the o.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the correctly spelt word:
a) magnatism
b) gravaty
c) resistence
d) friction
Show answer
d) friction. Resistance ends in ance, gravity has an i after the v, and magnetism has an e after the n.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which would increase friction for a cyclist?
a) a rough, gravel road
b) smooth tyres on ice
c) an oiled chain
d) a wet marble floor
Show answer
a) a rough, gravel road
2. Which of these is designed to reduce friction?
a) the rubber grip on running shoes
b) the ball bearings in a skateboard wheel
c) the brake pads on a bicycle
d) the sandpaper on a carpenter's block
Show answer
b) the ball bearings in a skateboard wheel
