Question

How does a lubricant help in reducing friction?

Answer 1

Friction

1. Friction is defined as the resistive force between two bodies or surfaces that opposes motion.
2. A moving body is required to produce enough work done to overcome this opposing frictional force and propagate further.

Working of a Lubricant

1. A lubricant can be defined as a substance, such as grease that can reduce friction, heat, and wear when introduced as a film between solid surfaces.
2. It is usually organic, introduced to reduce friction between surfaces in contact with each other, which ultimately reduces the heat generated when surfaces move.
3. A lubricant helps in forming a continuous, thin layer of fluid filling all the uneven places on an irregular surface, thus reducing the friction.
4. Lubricants can also function to transport foreign particles.
5. They also help to transmit forces or heat, or cool surfaces.