Read

A good study starts with a review of the literature to learn what is known in the field and where interesting results could yet be found (avoid repetition and do something new).

Since atomic friction is new to you, it is important to get some background material on the key ideas as a reference for the simulations. The final report also requires a basic overview of the topic.

Search for some material that details the development of the laws of friction from the original ideas of Da Vinci, to Amontons, Tabor and Tomlinson. Then look for more recent results on nanoscale friction, and particularly those that discuss the physical background of the observed ‘Stick-slip’ behaviour.

Some possibly interesting material (but feel free to find your own sources):

• How do you solve a problem like friction? pdf
• Why is ice slippery? pdf
• Friction at the Atomic Scale pdf
• Nanotribology pdf
• Scratching the Surface: Fundamental Investigations of Tribology with Atomic Force Microscopy pdf
• Frictional Characteristics of Atomically Thin Sheets pdf
• Surface science and the atomic-scale origins of friction: what once was old is new again pdf
• Nanotribology: Microscopic Mechanisms of Friction pdf
• Friction model jar
• Forces and motion jar