How is friction useful to us?

Friction plays an important role in our life. In fact, friction is said to be a necessary evil. Some advantages are as follows :

• Friction between our feet or footwear and the ground helps us to walk without slipping.
• The friction between treaded tyres and rough surface of the road enables vehicles to move safely on the road.
• Friction between the brake-shoe and the wheel slows down or stops a moving vehicle.
• Friction between a pencil or a pen and paper helps us to write.
• We are able to light a matchstick, cut anything, tie a knot or fix a nail on the wall because of friction.
• We are able to hold objects with our hands due to friction.
• We rub our hands in winter to make them warm as friction produces heat.