Аннотация:We performed molecular dynamics (MD) experiments to explore dry sliding friction at the nanoscale. We used the setup comprised of a spherical particle built up of 32,000 aluminum atoms, resting on a semi-space with a free surface, modelled by a stack of merged graphene layers. We utilized LAMMPS with the COMB3 many-body potentials for the inter-atomic interactions and Langevin thermostat which kept the system at 300 K. We varied the normal load on the particle and applied different tangential force, which caused the particle sliding. Based on the simulation data, we demonstrate that the friction force Ffr linearly depends on the sliding velocity ν, that is, Ffr = − γν, where γ is the friction coefficient. The observed dependence is in a sharp contrast with the macroscopic Amontons-Coulomb laws, which predict the velocity independence of sliding friction. We explain such a dependence by surface fluctuations of the thermal origin, which give rise to surface corrugation hindering sliding motion. This mechanism is similar to that of the viscous friction force exerted on a body moving in viscous fluid.