All Textbook Topics - Forces introduction - Types of forces - Friction is a force that resists motion

Friction is a force that resists motion

Friction always acts in the opposite direction to motion, hence in a way to resist the motion.

In this first example, friction is resisting the pulling force trying to pull the block to the right:

In this second example friction is resisting the motion of the trolley:

In this final example, the trolley is moving down the slope, so friction is acting up the slope as it is resisting the motion:

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Air resistance is a resistive force which occurs in the opposite direction to motion when objects are moving through the air at any speed
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Tension is a force in a string, wire, rope or cable that is under load (there is some force in the string, wire etc...)

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