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 Friction

Friction is the resistance between two surfaces that are in contact with each other.  There is friction between a car tyre and the road with which it is in contact.   

 
         
Friction can be reduced between two surfaces.    Blades of ice skates are sharp and able to slice through the surface of the ice, leaving a small water channel, so friction is lessened.   

 
         
  Oil can reduce friction between rotating cogs.   

 
         
Sometimes we want to increase friction between two surfaces.    When we  want to slow a bicycle quickly, we need to have a lot of friction between the brake blocks and the wheels they touch.