Frank Philip Bowden

5: The Physics of Rubbing Surfaces (1944)

Introduction

5: the physics of rubbing surfaces (1944). Explore the physics of friction, discussing the mechanisms and molecular processes that occur when two solid surfaces are rubbed together. Based on 1944 lectures.

Abstract

Two Liversidge Research Lectures delivered on October 17 and 18, 1944, at the Chemistry Department, University of Sydney, arranged by the Royal Society under the terms of the Liversidge Bequest. Reproduced by permission of the Royal Society of New South Wales from J. Proc. Roy. Soc. N.S.W., 1944, 78, 187–219."In this lecture we shall be dealing with a very old and very unfashionable branch of natural science - friction - and we wish to discuss some of the physical processes that occur when two solids are rubbed together.""We shall confine our attention to some of the physical processes that occur when one solid slides over another. There is a resistance to motion which we call friction. What is the mechanism of that frictional force, and from the point of view of a molecule sitting on the surface, what is really happening?"

Review

This entry, titled "5: The Physics of Rubbing Surfaces (1944)," presents a compelling historical document capturing the essence of two Liversidge Research Lectures delivered in 1944. Published by permission of the Royal Society of New South Wales, these lectures represent a foundational exploration into a branch of natural science that the authors themselves acknowledge was "very old and very unfashionable" at the time: friction. The context of these lectures highlights an early, significant effort to bring rigorous scientific inquiry to bear on a phenomenon often treated empirically, demonstrating an academic commitment to fundamental understanding even amidst broader scientific trends. The abstract clearly outlines the scope, indicating a focus on "some of the physical processes that occur when two solids are rubbed together" or "one solid slides over another." Crucially, it poses two fundamental questions: "What is the mechanism of that frictional force, and from the point of view of a molecule sitting on the surface, what is really happening?" This framing signals a commitment to a deep, mechanistic, and molecular-level investigation, moving beyond macroscopic observations to probe the underlying physical interactions governing frictional resistance. The authors' intent is to unravel the physics at play at the interface of rubbing surfaces. As a historical contribution, this work is invaluable for researchers tracing the evolution of tribology. It provides a unique snapshot of scientific thought on friction in the mid-20th century, specifically highlighting an early push towards a more fundamental, physics-based understanding rather than solely empirical characterizations. By asking questions about molecular-level happenings, the lectures likely laid groundwork for future advancements in surface science and contact mechanics. While the full content is not provided, the abstract promises a detailed and insightful examination of a complex problem, making this a significant reference for understanding the historical trajectory and foundational concepts within the field.

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