Experiment 6: Statics, Dynamics, and the Force of Friction

March 2, 2011

Submitted: March 23, 2011

Table 6

Poornima Oruganti (Captain)

Kavya Sreevalsan

Kevin Rush

Zi-Qi Liew
Introduction.

Experiment 6 involved the ability to calculate the static friction coefficient between a variety of surfaces

and surface areas by means of two methods: finding the amount of force needed to slide a block across a smooth

surface, and finding an angle at which a block will begin to slide. We began by measuring the mass of each cart

used: felt, cork, plastic, and the multi surface area block. We then took each weight cart and attached a string that

ran down a pulley across the flat surface. With each trial we added weights to the carts till they became stationary.

We then slowly added weight on the string after the pulley till the cart would slide. This information allowed us to

calculate the static friction coefficients. f s (max)= μ s n. Then we repeated this with the other surfaces. We then

took one surface and repeated step P2 with five new masses to investigate normal contact force on friction. For P5

we measured the surface area of the four-sided block then repeated the test on each side to investigate how

surface area affected the trials. Lastly for each type of surface we stabilized the block and slowly raised the angle at

which the carts stood. This allowed us to record the angle at which static friction released its hold. We then

calculated the static friction using f s = μ s W cos θmax . Error will always be present, but to our best ability we

minimized bumping or shaking table, and measured with least deviation.

Derivations.

Derivation of the coefficient of friction with tension and flat surface.

FN FT FFs Just before the cart begins moving

Fg1 =m1g
FT

Fg2=m2g

F=ma Fx= ma = 0 Fy= ma = 0 (m2g)/(m1g) = μs

FT=Fg2=m2g FT = FFs FN = Fg1 = m1g (m2)/(m1) = μs
m2g = μsFN
m2g = μsm1g

Derivation of the coefficient of friction with an inclined plane.

Fy = ma = 0
+y
FN = Fgy = mgcosθ
FN FFs
Fx = ma = 0 Fgx=mgcosθ
FFs = Fgx = mgsinθ Fgy= mgsinθ Fg =mg
μsFN = mgsinθ
μs= (mgsinθ)/(mgcosθ) +x slipping
Just before the box begins
θ
μs= tanθ θ
Data.

The following shows the data and calculations for when just enough mass was placed in the cart and
weight hanger for the cart (felt, plastic, cork) to start slipping.

(Note: Significant figures will only be applied to the final calculation for accuracy.)

Type of Mass of Mass of Added Total Mass Mass Placed on Coefficient of

Cart Cart (kg) Weight to Cart of Cart (kg) Weight Hanger Static Friction (μs)
(kg) (m1) (kg) (m2)
Felt 0.08580 0.028 0.1138 0.054 0.47
Plastic 0.09680 0.089 0.1858 0.053 0.29
Cork 0.09475 0.035 0.12975 0.062 0.48
Sample Calculation:
(m2)/(m1) = μs
0.054/0.1138=μs
μs = 0.47

The following tables show the data for five different masses in the cart. Calculations are shown
underneath each table respectively. This is an investigation of the normal contact force on the force of
friction.

Felt. Mass of Cart: 0.08580 kg

Mass of Added Total Mass of Cart Mass Placed on Weight Coefficient of Static
Weight to Cart (kg) (kg) (m1) Hanger (kg) (m2) Friction (μs)
Trial 1 0.038 0.1238 0.055 0.44
Trial 2 0.048 0.1338 0.06 0.45
Trial 3 0.078 0.1638 0.072 0.44
Trial 4 0.128 0.2138 0.092 0.43
Trial 5 0.228 0.3138 0.158 0.50
Sample Calculation:
(m2)/(m1) = μs
0.055/0.1238=μs
μs = 0.44

Plastic. Mass of Cart: 0.09680 kg

Mass of Added Total Mass of Cart Mass Placed on Weight Coefficient of Static
Weight to Cart (kg) (kg) (m1) Hanger (kg) (m2) Friction (μs)
Trial 1 0.099 0.1958 0.057 0.29
Trial 2 0.109 0.2058 0.058 0.28
Trial 3 0.139 0.2358 0.066 0.28
Trial 4 0.189 0.2858 0.078 0.27
Trial 5 0.289 0.3858 0.08 0.21
Sample Calculation:
(m2)/(m1) = μs
0.057/0.1958=μs
μs = 0.29

Cork. Mass of Cart: 0.09475 kg

Mass of Added Total Mass of Cart Mass Placed on Weight Coefficient of Static
Weight to Cart (kg) (kg) (m1) Hanger (kg) (m2) Friction (μs)
Trial 1 0.045 0.13975 0.068 0.49
Trial 2 0.055 0.14975 0.075 0.50
Trial 3 0.085 0.17975 0.083 0.46
Trial 4 0.135 0.22975 0.121 0.53
Trial 5 0.235 0.32975 0.159 0.48
Sample Calculation:
(m2)/(m1) = μs
0.068/0.13975=μs
μs = 0.49

The following table contains data for the block with surfaces of varying areas.

Surface Area (cm2) Mass Placed on Weight Mass of Block (kg) (m1) Coefficient of Static
Hanger (kg) (m2) Friction (μs)
114.5 0.155 0.653 0.24
39.0 0.130 0.653 0.20
26.0 0.130 0.653 0.20
52.0 0.134 0.653 0.21
Sample Calculation:
(m2)/(m1) = μs
0.155/0.653=μs
μs = 0.24

The following table contains the data for the block as it started to slip from the incline.

Surface Area (cm2) Angle Measured from Coefficient of Static

the Horizontal (degrees) Friction (μs)
114.5 13 0.23
39.0 14 0.25
26.0 14 0.25
52.0 13 0.23
Sample Calculation:
μs= tanθ
μs= tan13
μs= 0.2308
Analysis.

The purpose of the experiment was to find the coefficient of static friction using two techniques: finding the

amount of force needed to slide a block across a smooth surface, and finding an angle at which a block will begin to

slide. We performed the first half of the experiment as written in the lab book, but had to make modifications to

the second method because of a lack of materials. Therefore, we cannot draw a comparison about the precision of

the two methods. However, we can make conclusions about surface area and its effect on coefficients of static

friction.

Based on our data, as the surface area decreased from 114.5 cm 2 to 52 cm2, the coefficients of static

friction varied between 0.23 and 0.25. The average value was 0.24. The value of coefficient of static friction did not

increase or decrease with a pattern. This shows that surface area has no effect on the coefficient of static friction,

as long as there is some contact between two surfaces. It is independent of the area of contact.

Using the first method, the tension method, the coefficient of static friction we calculated for felt was

0.45, on average. For cork, the coefficient of static friction was 0.49, averaged. For plastic, it was 0.27. The reason

for the differences in coefficients of static friction is due to interactions on a molecular level. Plastic has a very

uniform composition, as does the metal ramp. Therefore, the coefficient of static friction between the two is very

low, as they slide against each other with little effort. However, cork and felt do not have a uniform composition,

meaning there are protrusions from their surfaces against the metal ramp. More effort is required for these two

surfaces to slide against the metal ramp.

There may have been human error in this experiment. Even though we used the same amount of weight,

the box did not behave the same way on the metal ramp during each trial. This may have been caused by people

accidentally shaking the table or moving the box. Also, the availability of weights was a problem, as there were

times when we needed smaller increments to create a more precise value. Additionally, there may have been

human error in measuring the angle of the ramp in the second method.