Is there any friction between wheel and road?

Question

Human beings invented the wheel to get rid of the friction between the wheel and the road. But were we able to reduce it to zero? Is there any residual friction? This question is about only the friction between the wheel and the road. I understand that there will be friction in other places, e.g. between the wheel and axle or between the vehicle and the atmosphere.

Answer 1

This is one of those areas where friction is required. Without it the wheel would just spin and we would go nowhere. A common error is to assume that it is kinetic friction that is in play when in fact it is static friction. If you look at the tire and the road, the tire is in contact for a brief time as it rotates and does not slip hence static friction. If it were kinetic friction, it would imply that the tire was slipping with respect to the road and we would be skidding. Anti lock brakes pulse so the wheel can briefly rotate with the intent that static friction can again be maintained.