JA509 Engineering Laboratory 1

EXPERIMENT : EL3 -1
TITLE : FRICTION (INCLINED PLAIN)
DURATION : 6 HOURS
PAGE : 1 0F 4

1.0 Experiment outcomes

At the end of the lab session students should be able:

a) Determination of the friction coefficient for different materials.
b) Force on the incline plane for different materials.

2.0 Theory
When a body slides over another, the motion resisted by a force called the friction force. The
force arises from the fact that the surfaces, though planed and made smooth, have ridges and
depressions that interlock and relative movement is resisted. Thus the force of friction on a
body is parallel to the sliding surfaces and acts in a direction opposite to that of the sliding body.

Friction coefficient ;
Reaction force,
Movement direction
External force, P
Friction force, F

Mg
Figure 1.1

Static friction coefficient from figure 1.1 ;

When a body is a rest on an inclined plane making an angle ɑ with the horizontal, the forces acting on
the body in figure 1.2
Reaction force, Movement direction
External force, P

Friction force, F
ɑ
Mg sin ɑ ɑ
Mg
Mg cos ɑ

Figure 1.2

Upward motion the plane equation is given , P =W (sin ɑ + µ cos ɑ) force,

Reaction Movement direction
External force, P
Downward motion the plane equation is given , P = W (µ cos ɑ - sin ɑ)
Friction force, F
ɑ
Version : 021211_0.0 _Effective:Jun 2012 Mg sin ɑ ɑ
Mg
Mg cos ɑ
 JA509 Engineering Laboratory 1

EXPERIMENT : EL3 -1
TITLE : FRICTION (INCLINED PLAIN)
DURATION : 6 HOURS
PAGE : 2 0F 4

3.0 Apparatus/Equipments

i. Incline plane mechanism

ii. 2 material combination ( steel, brass, polypropylene and aluminium)
iii. A Weight set
iv. A Graduated angle scale
v. The Support column
vi. The base plate

4.0 Safety Precautions

i. Perform only those experiments authorized by your instructor. Carefully follow all
instructions, both written and oral. Unauthorized experiments are not allowed.
ii. Be prepared for your work in the laboratory. Read all procedures thoroughly before
entering the laboratory. Never fool around in the laboratory.
iii. Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all
times.
iv. Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory. Notify the instructor
immediately of any unsafe conditions you observe.

5.0 Procedures
5.1 Determination of friction coefficient
i. Set the plane horizontal. This can be achieved with of a spirit level.
ii. Place the sliding objects on plane and hook them to the empty weight hanger by means
of a rope.
iii. Add weights to the hanger until the sliding objects tend to move.
iv. Note down the material combination, weight and rope force.
v. Repeat the experiments with other material combination.

5.2 Force on the incline plane

i. Set the plane at 30˚ inclination angle.
ii. Add weight of 4N to the weights hanger.
iii. Place sliding object with aluminum side on the plane and hook it with the weight hanger
by means of a rope.
iv. Add weight to the hanger until the sliding objects tend to move.
v. Note down the materials combination, weight and rope tension.

Version : 021211_0.0 _Effective:Jun 2012

 JA509 Engineering Laboratory 1

EXPERIMENT : EL3 -1
TITLE : FRICTION (INCLINED PLAIN)
DURATION : 6 HOURS
PAGE : 3 0F 4

vi. Decrease the weight gradually until the sliding object tends to move downward the
weights.
6.0 Result/Data

6.1 Determination of the friction coefficient for different materials.

The experiment has given the following result:

Measurement of the coefficient of friction.

Angle of the plane is 0˚ , weight (W) = 10N ,

Material combination Rope force, S (N) Friction coefficient (

steel
brass
polypropylene
aluminum

6.2 Force on the incline plane

The experiment has given the following result:

Rope force on incline plane , ɑ = 30˚

Steel, , weight (W) = 10N

Direction of motion Measured rope (N) Calculated rope force (N)

Upward
Downward

Rope force on incline plane , ɑ = 30˚

Brass, , weight (W) = 10N

Direction of motion Measured rope (N) Calculated rope force (N)

Upward

Version : 021211_0.0 _Effective:Jun 2012

 JA509 Engineering Laboratory 1

EXPERIMENT : EL3 -1
TITLE : FRICTION (INCLINED PLAIN)
DURATION : 6 HOURS
PAGE : 4 0F 4

Downward

Rope force on incline plane , ɑ = 30˚

Polypropylene, , weight (W) = 10N

Direction of motion Measured rope (N) Calculated rope force (N)

Upward
Downward

Rope force on incline plane , ɑ = 30˚

Aluminum, , weight (W) = 10N

Direction of motion Measured rope (N) Calculated rope force (N)

Upward
Downward

7.0 Discussion
i. Analyze the result with the theory.
ii. The factor that influence the experimental result.

8.0 Conclusion and Recommendation

Your conclusion should be related to your practical and theoretical understanding on the related
topic.

9.0 References

Joseph Edward Shigley and John Joseph Uicker, Jr. (1995), Theory of Machines and Mechanisms.
Second Edition, McGraw-Hill International Editions.

Version : 021211_0.0 _Effective:Jun 2012