Question

How does friction affect our daily lives?

Answer 1

Hint: Friction is defined as the force between two surfaces that opposes relative motion of one surface against the other surface.
By opposing the relative motion, it does not necessarily tend to stop a body from moving, sometimes it is responsible for making another body move in accordance with the other body.

Complete solution:
Friction is a necessary evil. It opposes relative motion and acts between two surfaces.
Mathematically, it is expressed as
\[f = \mu N\]
Where, f is the friction force, $\mu $ is the coefficient of friction and it is dependent on both the surfaces in question and N is the normal force.
Ways it affects our daily life:
$1)$ Walking: we walk using friction only. Friction is what holds our shoe to the ground. This is the reason why it is hard to walk on surfaces such as ice where friction is low.
$2)$ Writing: one can write using friction only. Friction is what causes the tip of a ball point pen to roll and hence apply ink on paper.
$3)$ Driving of vehicles on surface: Engine of the vehicle makes one set of the wheels move. Friction is the force between wheels and the road that prevents skidding of the wheels on the surface.
$4)$ Drilling a nail into wall: As the nail is driven into the wall, the material of the wall close to the nail gets compressed and due to this compression, the nail experiences a force of friction and the nail is held inside the wall.
$5)$ Lighting of a matchstick: The matchstick is rubbed against the box of matchsticks which have a rough surface. This generates friction force which is converted into heat. This heat is responsible for initiation of oxidation reaction of the matchstick.

Note: In the formula of friction force, the normal force is defined as the force exerted perpendicularly by one surface against the other.
When two bodies are made to move against each other, friction force comes into play and does two jobs, slowing down the first body and moving the second body.
Friction force is electromagnetic in nature.