Friction acts in the opposite direction to the motion of the object, resisting its movement. It is a force that occurs when two surfaces come into contact with each other and move (or attempt to move) relative to one another. Friction is responsible for slowing down or stopping the motion of an object and is essential in everyday life, such as when walking, driving, or using brakes.
There are two main types of friction: static friction, which prevents an object from starting to move, and kinetic (sliding) friction, which opposes the motion once the object is already in motion. The amount of friction depends on the nature of the surfaces in contact and the force pressing them together.
While friction is useful for many activities (e.g., providing grip when walking or enabling car tires to grip the road), it can also cause energy loss in mechanical systems, such as engines or machines. Engineers often work to reduce friction in these systems using lubricants or smoother materials to improve efficiency.