What is the true cause of friction?

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SUMMARY

The primary cause of friction between two flat surfaces is attributed to the Van der Waals forces acting at the atomic level. These forces arise from the repulsion between nearby atoms, which prevents surfaces from sliding past each other effortlessly. Even with perfectly flat materials, friction persists due to these atomic interactions, similar to the mechanisms that allow geckos to adhere to walls. Understanding these forces is crucial for applications in material science and engineering.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of atomic structure and forces
  • Familiarity with the concept of friction in physics
  • Knowledge of material properties and surface interactions
  • Awareness of the Van der Waals force and its applications
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  • Research the role of Van der Waals forces in material science
  • Explore the principles of friction in engineering applications
  • Study the effects of surface roughness on friction coefficients
  • Investigate the mechanisms of adhesion in biological systems, such as gecko feet
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Students and professionals in physics, material science, and engineering, as well as anyone interested in the fundamental principles of friction and surface interactions.

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I know that most friction is caused from rough uneven surfaces rubbing each other, but what is the cause of friction between 2 flat surfaces?
 
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ARC123 said:
I know that most friction is caused from rough uneven surfaces rubbing each other, but what is the cause of friction between 2 flat surfaces?

I know that at least some of friction is due to the Van der Waals force between nearby atoms. That is the force that geckos use to climb walls.
 
It's from the atoms repelling each other due to the forces present in their atomic structure. The reason we have friction is the same reason we can't just walk through walls. No matter how thin or perfectly flat a material is, there will be friction due to those repulsive forces acting on each surface.
 

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