Rolling Friction

Abstract

The dependence of rolling friction on velocity for various contact conditions is discussed. The principal difference between rolling and other types of relative motion (sliding and spinning) is that the points of the body in contact with the support change over time. Due to deformations, there is a small contact area and, entering into contact, the body points have a normal velocity proportional to the diameter of this area. For describing the dependence of the friction coefficient on the angular velocity in the case of “pure” rolling, a linear dependence is proposed that admits a logical explanation and experimental verification. Under the combined motion, the rolling friction retains its properties, the sliding and spinning friction acquiring the properties of viscous friction.