Assessment Cover Sheet

Assessment Title: Friction

Programme Title: Bachelor of Engineering Technology

Course No.: EN 6903

Course Title: Mechanical Fundamentals

Student Name: Maryam Ali

Student ID: 201601301

Mm
Tutor: Ahmed Abdelrahman

Due Date: 7/11/2017 Date submitted: 6/11/2017

By submitting this assessment for marking, either electronically or as hard copy, I confirm the
following:
➢ This assignment is my own work
➢ Any information used has been properly referenced.
➢ I understand that a copy of my work may be used for moderation.
➢ I have kept a copy of this assignment
Do not write below this line. For Polytechnic use only.

Assessor: Date of Marking:

Grade/Mark: /100

Comments:

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 Friction (horizontal & inclined plane)
Abstract:
This experiment is to test coefficient of friction between the horizontal and inclined
planes for any types of materials.

The experiment used to measure the coefficient of friction in the horizontal and
inclined planes by using three varied materials (Steel, Wood and Brass) on different
weights (5N, 10N and 15N). moreover, the experiment reading was used to test the
average of three weights to get accurate results. Therefore, theoretical and
experimental values of the friction to each material were compared to find out the
deviation.

The minimum percentage of errors found was (28%), so the values were not agree
between the experimental and theoretical.

So, The large deviation between the experiment and vertical values explains that
they’re inconsistent.

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Contents
..........................................................................................................................................................1
Abstract: ............................................................................................................................................2
Introduction: .....................................................................................................................................4
Theory: ..............................................................................................................................................4
Horizontal plane:....................................................................................................................................... 4
Inclined plane: ........................................................................................................................................... 5
1. When the block slide down:.............................................................................................................. 5
2. when the block moves up: ................................................................................................................ 6
Apparatus: .........................................................................................................................................7
Procedure: .........................................................................................................................................8
Part A  coefficient of friction on horizontal plane: ................................................................................ 8
Part B  coefficient of friction on inclined plane using varied loads: ...................................................... 9
Part C  coefficient of friction on inclined plane - upward inclined motion: .......................................... 9
Results............................................................................................................................................. 10
Part A: ..................................................................................................................................................... 10
Part B:...................................................................................................................................................... 12
Part C:...................................................................................................................................................... 14
Comments: ...................................................................................................................................... 18
Conclusion: ...................................................................................................................................... 19
Appendix: ........................................................................................................................................ 20
Bibliography: ................................................................................................................................... 21

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Introduction:
The purpose of this experiment is to find the coefficient of friction by
using three varied materials (Steel, Wood, Brass) with different weights
(5N, 10N and 15N) on steel surface on both horizontal and inclined line.
Furthermore, we must link the results with the theoretical findings.
Finally, determining the coefficient of friction is important for
engineers, for it help from slipping between the machine parts and
materials.

Theory:
Horizontal plane:

N N
R

β P
F

W W
Slider materials at rest on horizontal plane has normally a weight (W), and a
reaction force (N) equal and opposite to the (W) sign.

When we apply a horizontal force (P), we will have a friction force between the
surface and the slider materials.

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we will have resultant force (R) if the horizontal force (P) is more than the friction
force (F), so we will have angle β between the resultant force (R) and the reaction
force (N).

𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
So, tan 𝛽 = ⁄𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡  𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽 = 𝐹⁄𝑁

Inclined plane:
1. When the block slide down: (α will increase till the block start moving)

Normal pressure of the block on the plane ( Fy ): N = w cos α ---- (1a)

Weight acting on the plane ( FX ): F = w sin α ---- (1b) F = µ N ---- (1c)

(substitute 1a in 1c)  F = µ W cos α ---- (1d)

(divide 1d over 1b)  µ = tan α

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2. when the block moves up:

( α is less than β) ( α is more than β)

So, force (P) will be applied to move So, force (P) will be applied up the
the block down: plane to lower the block:

F = P + W sin α ---- (2e) P + F = W sin α ---- (2f)

(substitute 1d in 2e)  (substitute 1d in 2f) 

P = µ W cos α – W sin α P = W sin α - µ W cos α

To move the block up we apply force (P):

P = F + W sin α ---- (2g)

(substitute 1d in 2g)  P = µ W cos α + W sin α

6
Apparatus:

The equipment used during the experiment:

1. Adjacent steel plane: -45 ̊ to +45 ̊ to hold the experiment.

2. Sliders: with three varied materials made of Steel, Wood and Brass.
3. Masses: two types of masses one of them to add loads to the sliders
(5N,10N,15N), and the other one for the hanger (10g, 50g, 100g……).
4. Pulley: fixed on the steel plane to change the force direction.
5. Load hanger: to hold the masses.
6. Rope: connecting the slider to the hanger.
7. Gram weighting scale: to measure the masses.

7
Procedure:

This experiment is to find out the coefficient of friction of steel using three varied
materials (steel, wood and brass) on horizontal and inclined plane when the block
slide down and move up. However, each material was loaded with three loads
(5N, 10N and 15N). the experiment was done with group of three.

The experiment was considered as three parts (A, B and C), and before each part
there was some steps to follow as outlined below:
 slider and the hanger were weighted:
- sliders were weighting by weighting scale then dividing it by 103 to
convert it from gram to kilogram then multiplying it with 9.81
(acceleration gravity) to convert it to (N) (Steel= 4.042, Wood= 3.46
and Brass= 2.88).
- hanger was weighting by the weighting scale and converted same as
sliders converting steps to convert it to (N).
The steel plane was adjustable for specific angle, and cleaned before

starting any part.

 slider was connecting to the hanger using the rope.

Part A  coefficient of friction on horizontal plane:

1. The plane was setting to be horizontal.
2. Steel slider was placed on the horizontal plane.
3. A load of 5N added to the slider, and the slider was attached with the rope.

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 4. The rope was moving on the pulley, and the hanger was placed on the end
of the rope.
5. Weigh were added on the hanger, and when it starts moving the hanger
weight loaded was recorded to calculate the force and coefficient of
friction.
6. The steps were repeated for (10N and 15N).
7. Brass was changed to Steel and wood and the steps were repeated.

Part B  coefficient of friction on inclined plane using varied loads:

1. Steel slider was placed on the horizontal plane.
2. A load of 5N were added on the steel.
3. The plane clamp was slackened, and it was tilt slowly until the slider start
moving.
4. To get accurate result; care is required.
5. The results were recorded to find out ( tanα = µ)
6. The steps were repeated for (10N and 15N).
7. Brass was changed to Steel and wood and the steps were repeated.

Part C  coefficient of friction on inclined plane - upward inclined motion:

1. The steel plane were set to 30-degree angle.
2. A load of 5N were added on the placed steel.
3. The added masses for preventing the slider moving were removed until it
began to move.
4. Steel was changed to brass and wood and the steps were repeated.

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Results
Part A:
Test Slider Material Slider Weight Applied Force Coefficient of
Number N (N) F (F) Friction (F/N)
1 4.05N 0.89N 0.22
2 Steel 14.05N 4.18N 0.30
3 19.05N 4.64N 0.24
1 3.89N 0.087N 0.02
2 wood 13.89N 2.54N 0.18
3 18.36N 3.64N 0.20
1 2.83N 0.6N 0.21
2 Brass 12.83N 2.06N 0.16
3 17.83N 2.65N 0.15

Coefficient of steel Friction (F/N)

6

5 y = 0.2613x + 0.0011

4
Applied Force

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Slider Weight

10
 Coefficient of wood Friction (F/N)
4

y = 0.246x - 0.8771
3.5

3
Applied force (N)

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Slider weight (N)

Coefficient of brass Friction (F/N)

3

y = 0.138x + 0.2295
2.5

2
Axis Title

1.5

0.5

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Axis Title

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Part B:
Test Slider Material Slider Weight Plane angle α tan 𝛼 = 𝜇
Number W (N)
1 4.05 13° 0.23
2 Steel 14.05 12° 0.21
3 19.05 11° 0.19
1 3.38 11° 0.19
2 wood 13.38 13° 0.23
3 18.38 15° 0.27
1 2.82 N 12° 0.21
2 Brass 12.82 N 12° 0.21
3 17.82 N 12° 0.21

Steel
4
y = 0.1857x + 0.2408
3.5

2.5
W sin (α)

1.5

0.5

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
W cos (α)

12
 Wood
5

4.5 y = 0.2793x - 0.3719

3.5

3
W cos (α)

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
W sin (α)

Brass
4
y = 0.2154x - 0.0155
3.5

2.5
W cos (α)

1.5

0.5

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
W sin (α)

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Part C:
Steel Plane angle (α) = 30

Slider Weight W (N) Load P(N) W sin α W cos α 𝑊 sin 𝛼 − 𝑝 Average µ

𝜇=
𝑊 cos 𝛼

4.05 N 1.02N 2.03 3.51 0.32 0.24

14.05 N 5.13N 7.03 12.16 0.26

19.05 N 7.23N 9.53 16.50 0.14

Wood Plane angle (α) = 30

Slider Weight W (N) Load P(N) W sin α W cos α 𝑊 sin 𝛼 − 𝑝 Average µ

𝜇=
𝑊 cos 𝛼

3.38 1.09 1.69 2.93 0.20 0.20

13.38 4.13 6.69 11.58 0.22

18.38 6.26 9.19 15.92 0.18

Brass Plane angle (α) = 30

Slider Weight W (N) Load P(N) W sin α W cos α 𝑊 sin 𝛼 − 𝑝 Average µ

𝜇=
𝑊 cos 𝛼

2.828 1.04 1.42 2.45 0.16 0.23

12.82 3.14 6.41 11.10 0.29

17.82 5.05 8.91 15.43 0.25

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 steel
2.5
y = 0.0998x + 0.6663

1.5

0.5

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

wood
10

9 y = 0.5775x - 0.0007

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

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 Y-Values
4.5

4 y = 0.2775x - 0.1775

3.5

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

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Coefficient of friction average for each of the materials:

Slider Plane Average µ Overall

materials surface average
material Part A Part B Part C
Steel Steel 0.25 0.21 0.24 0.23
Wood 0.13 0.23 0.20 0.18
Brass 0.17 0.21 0.23 0.20

To find the value for the coefficient of friction µ in each experiment for
the materials:

𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

% 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

Slider Plane Theoretical Experimental % deviation

materials surface value µ average µ
materials
Steel Steel 0.5 0.23 54%
Wood 0.25 0.18 28%
Brass 0.35 0.20 42.8%

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Comments:
To find the coefficient of friction of Steel, wood and Brass in horizontal an inclined
plane, a free body diagrams were drown and formulas, using the experimental
work of part A, B and C. Later on, the overall average for each material was
founded to compare it with theoretical value.
There is clear variation in the coefficient of friction between the experiment and
vertical values. For example, the deviation from maximum to minimum in the
order are, Steel 54%, Brass 42.8%, wood 28%.
The reason for the large deviation may because the pulley adds more friction to
the full friction when the loading rope move on it. Also, the weather is the reason
for the large deviation for humidity adds more frictions between surface, so it
makes difference in the results.
To improve the experiment, we can measure the friction between the rope and
the loading cord might reduce the result gotten. Also, we have to clean the
surface each time.
The large deviation between the experiment and vertical values explains that
they’re inconsistent.

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Conclusion:
To conclude, the purpose of this experiment is to find the coefficient of friction by
using three varied materials (Steel, Wood, Brass) with different weights (5N, 10N
and 15N) on steel surface on both horizontal and inclined line.
The coefficient in each part of the experiment was almost the same. For example,
( Steel, part A = 0.25/ part B = 0.21/ Part C = 0.24), (Wood, part A = 0.13, part B =
0.23/ Part C = 0.20) and (Brass, part A = 0.17/ part B = 0.21/ Part C = 0.23).
However the deviation between the theoretical and experimental was large (steel
= 54%, Wood = 28% and Brass 42.8%. as a result, due to the deviation values; the
purpose was not well realized.

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Appendix:

x y

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Bibliography:
Imaging the Universe. (n.d.). Retrieved November 04, 2017, from
http://astro.physics.uiowa.edu/ITU/glossary/percent-error-formula/

Edge, L. E. (2017). Coefficient of Friction Equation and Table Chart – Engineers

Edge. Retrieved November 04, 2017, from
https://www.engineersedge.com/coeffients_of_friction.htm

Friction and Friction Coefficients. (n.d.). Retrieved November 04, 2017, from
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/friction-coefficients-d_778.html

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