DISCUSSION:

The topic discussed in Experiment 102 is about concepts that circulate around friction.
Friction is the resistance to motion of one object moving relative to another. It is not a fundamental force,
like gravity or electromagnetism. Instead, scientists believe it is the result of the electromagnetic attraction
between charged particles in two touching surfaces. The experiment was divided into two parts. Part A was
the determination of the Coefficient of Friction while Part B was the determination of the Angle of Repose.
For the Part A of the Experiment, we used the weights as independent variable which is attached to the
wooden block with felt surface to determine the consistency of the moving object placed on a dynamics
track. The net force acting on the object is the tension force from the weights added on the opposite side of
the string. As the experiment goes by, weights were added on the pan until a uniform sliding motion was
observed along the plane. While for Part B of the Experiment, we used different angles of placing the
wooden block with felt surface in order to determine the most consistent one for the moving object to
descend. Then the vertical and horizontal distance of the track is measured the moment the block starts
moving.

Contact Surfaces produces sound, light, and heat energy. This is because of the presence of friction
which is often referred to as the retarding force or even drag force in the form of air resistance. In Part A of
the Experiment, Frictional force (f) is found to be directly proportional to the normal force (N) which is
mathematically expressed as, f = kN. The coefficient of friction (µ) takes the place of k which is the
constant of proportionality. Thus, f = µN. When the object is just about to move, the size of the friction
given is Fr = µR. Therefore the object or material is also in equilibrium. The coefficient of friction on a
block stays consistent or constant when the block goes in uniform movement. Since friction is toward the
path inverse of the net force, the net force dependably grow when the mass of the block increase all together
for the block to exceed its condition of inertia or state of rest. While in Part B of the Experiment, in an
inclined path, if an object slides down due to its own weight, the angle between the horizontal and the
incline is the Angle of Repose. Therefore, the coefficient of friction is equal to the tangent of the angle of
F
repose. The coefficient of friction (μ) is determined by the formula µ = where (F) is the friction force and
N

(N) is the normal force. In order to obtain a constant value for the μ, one has to consider state of equilibrium
for the object being experimented. Lastly, in finding the angle of repose, measure the vertical height (h)
ℎ
and horizontal (b), thus: 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 𝑏

Friction can be caused by air resistance. The force of friction is greater than the applied force which
is static friction. If you apply a little more force, the object breaks free and slides, although you still need
to apply force to keep the object sliding, which is kinetic friction. In fact, it doesn’t need to apply quite as
much force to keep the object sliding as it needed to originally break free of static friction. The coefficient
𝑓
of friction which is characterized as has no association with the area of contact. Consequently, regardless
𝑛

of how huge or little the area of contact is, it doesn’t affect the coefficient of friction. The fact that a larger
section of contact between two surfaces would make a bigger source of frictional powers, it additionally
diminishes the weight between the two surfaces for a given power holding them together. It was then proven
in the experiment that the area of contact does not affect the coefficient of friction. Therefore on the
collected data, it clearly states that area has no great effect on the value of coefficient of friction since the
values only differ in minimal parts. It is also essential to observe uniform movement within a constant speed
because it has to have a constant value for the coefficient of friction. Where an object moves in equilibrium
or in constant speed, kinetic friction is indeed constant.

Friction has a considerable measure of uses in our everyday life. It is a vital factor in many
designing controls, such as, transportation and construction. In engineering context, the level of friction
represents the energy lost, typically as heat. Also it could involve design, material selection, and the
application of coatings or surface treatments. For transportation, car brakes innately depend on contact,
slowing a vehicle by changing over its kinetic energy into heat. There are various experiences where high
level of friction is required such as the floor surface. The coefficient of friction also depends on the materials
used to satisfy the needs of a building, pavement, or road. Another application of friction, specifically the
determination of the angle of repose, when civil engineers find the appropriate inclination of roofs for the
snow or rain to consistently fall from the roof. Such as, the basic requirement of 30 degrees of roof slope
for it to slide. Moreover, Civil Engineers must understand the concept of friction because it affects various
situations such as how the building should be maintained strong and still for centuries to come. Like, the
friction piles that was used in the construction of Al Hamra Tower in Kuwait. Friction Piles have a large
surface area that rubs against the soil creating friction. The friction force is calculated to be sufficient to
hold up the building’s footings.