INCLINED PLANE

Aim :-
To find the coefficient of friction between a block and a horizontal surface (by
plotting a graph).

Apparatus :-
Wooden block(with a hook on one side),50g weights,a horizontal plane (table top)
fitted with a frictionless pulley at one end,pan,spring balance,thread,sprit level.

Theory :-
Sliding friction : It is friction acting on a body in sliding motion.
The least force required to make a body start sliding over a surface.
Force of friction F R
F=R
where = co-efficient of friction,
R is the normal Reaction.

Descripetion:-
It is comprised of a smooth wooden
plane filled with a friction less pulley at the
free end. It is hinged to a horisontal
polished wooden base which is fitted with a
protractor. Portractor helps in keeping the
plane inclined to any desired angle. A
wooden block and roller are provided to observe frictional force and a scale pan is provided
to keep weights.

Procedure:-
keep the inclined plane horizontally(Check horizontally of table top by spirit level)
resting on wooden base and also protractor shows zero. Let it be at the edge of the table so
that it is convinient to hang the scale pan. See that pulley is free from friction, other wise oil
it for smooth running.Weigh the masses of wooden block(M) and pan(P) with the help of
balance. Clean the surface of wooden block and make it dust free. Tie one end of a thread
with the hook of the wooden block and pass it over the pulley(The thread must be
horizontal) and other end to the pan and let the pan hang vertical.(The pan will pull the
wooden block horizontally by a force equal to its weight). Since the pan itself does not pull
the block,put some weights on the pan(from weight box). Increase weights in pan little by
little, till the block just starts sliding on tapping the table top. Note the total weights put in
the pan then record them in observation table (sum of weight of pan and weights in pan
gives the force of sliding friction). Put each time 50g weight over the wooden block and
repeat the above procedure. Record the observations in tabular form as given ahead.

Observations:-
Weight of the wooden block(M) = ...........g wt
Weight of the pan (P) = .............g wt.
 Table for additional weights:-

S.No. Weigths on Total weight Weight on Total weight F

=
wooden block being pulled pan (force)pulling the R
(m) g wt (M+m) = R (p) g wt block and weight
(P+p) =F
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Graph:-
Plot a graph between normal reaction R and limiting friction F, taking R along X-
axis and F along Y-axis. The graph comes to be a straight line as shown.

150 - *
A
AB
100 - C * Slope = = (coefficient of friction)
B BC

50 - *

0 50 100 150 200

Precautions:-
1) The surface (table top) should be horizontal as well as smooth and clean.
2) The thread part between block and pulley should be horizontal.
3) Weight in pan should be increased in small steps.
4) Table top should be tapped gently each time.
5) Pulley should be frictionless.

Result:-
The Average of coefficient of friction from observation is............
The coefficient of frction from Graph is...............