AP Physics 1 - Coefficient of Friction Lab

12.13.19
Gianna Battaglia
Makayla Robertson
Lydia Dixon
I Objective
The goal of this lab is to determine what effect mass, surface area, and surface type have on the
frictional force and the kinetic coefficient of friction (μ) between two surfaces.

II Discussion
The idea of this lab is to be able to find kinetic coefficient of friction (μ).
Kinetic coefficient of friction (μ) is friction between objects that are sliding past each other.
The lab demonstrates by the block being pulled across a surface, therefore causing friction
between the block and the surface (the kinetic coefficient of friction). The idea is that when different
factors are changed, the kinetic coefficient of friction (μ) can be found through finding the force that was
acted on the block using a spring scale and the mass of the object. This can be used by using the formula
µ = FF / FN. This will be used to find kinetic coefficient of friction (μ) of the different trials.
Changing the mass of the block, by increasing it, should increase the kinetic coefficient of friction
(μ), as well as, changing the surface area as well.

III Materials
● Wooden Block
● Spring Scale
● Wood Plank
● Sand Paper
● Composite Wood
● Table
● Scale

IV Diagram of Set Up

V Procedure
Three different types of trials were used to determine the kinetic coefficient of friction (μ). The
three different trials were: varying mass, surface area, and the types of surfaces. First, take a spring
scale and attach it to the string on the wooden block, then you pull on it (making sure to pull at a constant
speed) and record the force that was exerted and repeating this several times increasing the mass with
each trial. Repeat the same steps with the surface area and the types of surfaces, varying each one with
each trial. Finally, use the frictional force from these trials and the calculation of the natural force to
determine the coefficient of friction.
VI Data
Mass of Block
16x8 Block (cm) 231 g 0.231 kg

Using Different Masses to Determine Kinetic Coefficient of Friction

0.231 kg 0.331 kg 0.431 kg 0.531 kg 0.631 kg 0.831

ForceF (N) 0.55 0.7 0.85 1.2 1.35 1.65

Using Different Surface Areas to Determine Kinetic Coefficient of Friction: (cm)

Block (16x8) 16x8-1.5 16x4-1.5 16x4

ForceF (N) 0.625 0.6 0.5 0.7

Using Different Surface Types to Determine Kinetic Coefficient of Friction:

Table Wood Plank Composite Sandpaper/ Sandpaper/
Wood Wood Sandpaper

ForceF (N) 0.55 0.625 0.75 0.8 1.25

VII Calculations
Equations:
Fg = mg
Fg = FN
µ = FF / FN
Percent Range = [(max - min) / average] x 100
VII Calculations Cont.

Different Masses
0.231 kg 0.331 kg 0.431 kg 0.531 kg 0.631 kg 0.831

ForceN (N) 2.26611 3.24711 4.22811 5.20911 6.19011 8.15211

Coefficient of
0.243 0.216 0.201 0.230 0.218 0.202
Friction

Average
Coefficient of 0.2183
Friction

Percent Range 19.2%

Different Surface Areas

16x8 16x8-1.5 16x4-1.5 16x4

ForceN (N) 2.26611 2.26611 2.26611 2.26611

Coefficient of
0.276 0.265 0.221 0.309
Friction

Average
Coefficient of 0.2678
Friction

Percent Range 32.9%

VII Calculations Cont.
Different Surface Types
Table Wood Plank Composite Sandpaper/ Sandpaper/
Wood Wood Sandpaper

ForceN (N) 2.26611 2.26611 2.26611 2.26611 2.26611

Coefficient of
0.243 0.276 0.331 0.353 0.552
Friction

Average
Coefficient of 0.351
Friction

Percent Range 88.0%

VIII Graph

IX Error Analysis
The error for this lab came from a procedure error and an experiment error. The measurements
could have been read wrong or the block was not pulled at a constant velocity. There were errors that
would have happened due to the equipment used or rounding errors in the calculations.
X Analysis Questions

1)
2) Newton’s first law says, “When an object is moving at a constant velocity, it’s net force is zero.”
This makes the applied force and the frictional force equal (equilibrium). Constant velocity is a
way to determine this because pulling the block at that constant velocity also makes the applied
force and frictional force equal.
3) The jump is due to the amount of force not being greater than the amount of friction, therefore
creating static friction. Then, it reaches a constant speed and greater amount of force is reached,
the kinetic friction.
4) Mass had the greatest effect on frictional force because as more mass was added, the “harder” it
was to pull on the table.
Types of surfaces had the greatest effect on the coefficient of friction, this was shown by the high
percent range. The values varied due to what the surface type was causing a greater frictional
force than the others, causing a greater effect on the coefficient of friction.

XI Conclusion
The purpose of this lab is to determine what effect mass, surface area, and surface type have on
the frictional force and the kinetic coefficient of friction (μ) between two surfaces. The data shows that the
type of surface had the greatest effect on the coefficient of friction, then the surface area, and finally the
mass affected it the least. Mass had the greatest effect on the frictional force, then the type of surface,
and finally the surface area affected it the least.