Frictional Forces is one of 9 topics in the Grade 11 Technical Sciences CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. What does frictional force always oppose?
The motion (or tendency of motion) of an object relative to a surface
The weight of an object
The normal force only
The acceleration due to gravity
Answer: The motion (or tendency of motion) of an object relative to a surface — Frictional force opposes the motion, or the tendency toward motion, of an object relative to the surface it is in contact with.
Easy
2. In which direction, relative to the surfaces in contact, does friction always act?
Parallel to the surfaces
Perpendicular to the surfaces
At exactly 45 degrees to the surfaces
In no fixed direction
Answer: Parallel to the surfaces — Friction always acts parallel to the surfaces in contact, opposing relative motion between them.
Medium
3. Give ONE term for the type of friction that acts on a stationary object before it starts to move.
Answer: static friction — Static (limiting) friction acts between two surfaces when the object is stationary but a force is attempting to move it.
