Why does water sometimes increase friction?

Question

I lift weights and sometimes a little water on my hands makes it easier to grip barbells, why???

In: 0

Answer 1

water is generally the opposite of a lubricant. the same forces that hold it together in drops will wet 2 surfaces and pull them together.

the intuitive sense of water as a lubricant only works because water can be a bearing surface. a thick enough water layer can form a barrier between 2 surfaces. like a car hydroplaning. the water isn’t reducing friction between the tire and the road, the water is taking over as the surface the car is driving on… and it’s a liquid.

in the case of weightlifting, specifically, I suspect it has more to do with removing your skin oils (a real source of lubrication).