Traction (engineering)

Traction is a big word that means how well something sticks to the ground and doesn't slip or slide. You know how sometimes it's hard to walk on a slippery floor? That's because you don't have good traction with your shoes. The same thing happens with cars, trains, and other machines that move on the ground.

To make sure things don't slip and slide, engineers use different techniques to create traction. One popular way is to use special materials for the wheels or tires that have lots of tiny bumps or grooves. When the wheels or tires roll over the ground, the bumps and grooves help grip onto the surface.

Another way engineers create traction is by adding weight to the object that needs to move. You can try this yourself - try pushing a heavy shopping cart and then try pushing an empty one. The heavier cart is harder to push but it also has more traction because it's pressing down harder on the ground.

Traction is really important for a lot of things. It helps cars go up hills, it keeps airplanes from sliding off the runway, and it helps trains stay on the tracks. Without good traction, things would be slippery, wobbly, and hard to control!