From The Physics Classroom’s Physics Interactive http://www.physicsclassroom.

com

Force Interactive
Situations Involving Friction

Purpose:
The purpose of this activity is to explore some relationships between variables for the situation
of a block being accelerated across a horizontal surface by an applied force.

Background:
When forces are unbalanced, objects accelerate. But what exactly affects the acceleration of
the object? What affect does the amount of force that is applied, or the mass of the object, or
the amount of friction experienced by the object have upon the acceleration the object
experiences? In this activity you will conduct several controlled or simulated studies in order to
determine the answer to these questions.

Challenge 1:

Conduct a controlled study in which you determine the effect of a varying applied force upon
the acceleration in the presence of friction. Think hard about what variables you change and
what quantities you will keep constant over the course of the study. Run several trials in which
you collect data to determine this cause-effect relationship. Plot the data and perform linear
regression in order to generate an acceleration equation, expressing acceleration as a function
of the applied force.

Note: the friction variable that is indicated in the simulation refers to the coefficient of friction. It is
represented by the symbol µ (pronounced "mu"). It is a unit-less number ranging from 0 up to 0.9. (Values of µ
can exceed 0.9; that just happens to be the upper limit in this Interactive.)

Applied Mass Mu Net Force Velocity-time Accel'n

Trial
Force (N) (kg) -- (N) Information (m/s/s)
4.0s, 1.57m/s
1 10.00 3.00 0.30 1.18N 0.4
5.0s, 1.97m/s
4.0s, 14.91m/s
2 20.00 3.00 0.30 11.18N 3.72
5.0s, 18.63m/s
4.0s, 28.24m/s
3 30.00 3.00 0.30 21.18N 7.06
5.0s, 35.30m/s
3.0s, 31.18m/s
4 40.00 3.00 0.30 31.18N 10.39
4.0s, 41.57m/s
4.0s, 36.08m/s
5 30.00 3.00 0.10 27.06N 8.3
5.0s, 45.10m/s
4.0s, 32.16m/s
6 30.00 3.00 0.20 24.12N 8.04
5.0s, 40.20m/s
4.0s, 28.24m/s
7 30.00 3.00 0.30 21.18N 7.06
5.0s, 35.30m/s
©The Physics Classroom, All Rights Reserved
From The Physics Classroom’s Physics Interactive http://www.physicsclassroom.com

4.0s, 24.32m/s
8 30.00 3.00 0.40 18.24N 6.08
5.0s, 30.40m/s
This document should NOT appear on other websites.
Challenge 1 Conclusion:
In the space below, make a claim in which you state the equation relating the acceleration to
the applied force. Show a sketch of the graph and the linear regression statistics (slope, y-
intercept, and regression constant). Write a paragraph of reasoning in which you explain how
the data and associated graph support the claim that you have made.

X- Applied Force (N) Y- Acceleration (m/s2)

10 0.4
20 3.72
30 7.06
40 10.39
30 8.3
30 8.04
30 7.06
30 6.08

The table depicts the values of the net force (x-values) and acceleration (y-values).
Stated below are the formulas that are used for the linear regression, also includes the values
of it and the conclusion.

Applied Force vs Acceleration

ŷ = 0.33877X - 2.935
12
10.39 Claim:
10 In Newton’s
8.3
8.04 second law we can
8 7.06
Appied Force

6.08 y- Acceleration
observe the
6 Linear (y- Acceleration) relationship of
4
3.72 acceleration to mass,
as it’s written to the
2
0.4 formula, F=ma . In
0 this, we can deduce
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
that force is
Acceleration proportional to
acceleration, that
there is direct relation to force and acceleration.

©The Physics Classroom, All Rights Reserved

From The Physics Classroom’s Physics Interactive http://www.physicsclassroom.com

The equation for linear regression is:

ŷ=ax+ b

F=ax +b
The slope a of the linear regression is:

a=My−bMx

a=6.38−(0.34 ( 27.5 ))

a=−2.935
The y-intercept b of the line regression is:
b=SP /SS X

b=186.33/550
b=0.33877
The regression constant of the line regression:
ŷ=0.33877 X−2.935

Conclusion:
In the result of regression statistics displayed Multiple R=0.975 this depicts a strong
relationship between the force and acceleration, because it’s near to 1, supporting the claim
that force is in direct relation with acceleration, this can be further supported, by our R Square,
because the value of it is 0.95, suggesting that 95% of the dependent variable (acceleration) fits
the regression analysis model.

A Challenging Follow-up:
Look at the slope value from your graph and inspect the Data table. What quantity do you
suppose the slope represents? Make a claim and support it with evidence and reasoning.

- The slope value represents the rate of change of y in x. We can depict, that as the
acceleration increases, the force being applied increases too. This can be observed by
trials 1 and 2, the acceleration in trial 1 is 0.4 and in trial 2 increased to 3.72, due to the
doubling in the applied force.

©The Physics Classroom, All Rights Reserved

From The Physics Classroom’s Physics Interactive http://www.physicsclassroom.com

©The Physics Classroom, All Rights Reserved

From The Physics Classroom’s Physics Interactive http://www.physicsclassroom.com

©The Physics Classroom, All Rights Reserved

From The Physics Classroom’s Physics Interactive http://www.physicsclassroom.com

This document should NOT appear on other websites.

Challenge 2:

Conduct a study in which you determine the effect of a varying coefficient of friction (mu) upon
the acceleration. Run several trials in which you collect data to determine this cause-effect
relationship. Before you begin, think hard about what variables you will change and what
quantities you will keep constant. If your original plan fails, then adjust your values and start
over until you have a sufficient quantity of data. Plot the data and perform linear regression in
order to generate an acceleration equation, expressing acceleration as a function of mu.

Note: the friction variable that is indicated in the simulation refers to the coefficient of friction. It is
represented by the symbol µ (pronounced "mu"). It is a unit-less number ranging from 0 up to 0.9. (Values of µ
can exceed 0.9; that just happens to be the upper limit in this Interactive.)

Applied Mass Mu Net Force Velocity-time Accel'n

Trial
Force (N) (kg) -- (N) Information (m/s/s)
3.0s, 57.06 m/s
1 40 2.00 0.1 38.04 19.02
4.0s, 76.08 m/s
3.0s, 54.12 m/s
2 40 2.00 0.2 36.08 18.04
4.0s, 72.16 m/s
3.0s, 51.18 m/s
3 40 2.00 0.3 34.12 17.06
4.0s, 68.24 m/s
3.0s, 48.24 m/s
4 40 2.00 0.4 32.16 16.08
4.0s, 64.32 m/s
3.0s, 45.30 m/s
5 40 2.00 0.5 30.20 15.1
4.0s, 60.40 m/s
3.0s, 42.36 m/s
6 40 2.00 0.6 28.24 14.12
4.0s, 56.48 m/s
©The Physics Classroom, All Rights Reserved
From The Physics Classroom’s Physics Interactive http://www.physicsclassroom.com

3.0s, 39.42 m/s

7 40 2.00 0.7 26.28 12.84
4.0s, 52.26 m/s
3.0s, 36.48 m/s
8 40 2.00 0.8 24.32 12.16
4.0s, 48.64 m/s

This document should NOT appear on other websites.

Challenge 2 Conclusion:
In the space below, make a claim in which you state the equation relating the acceleration to
the coefficient of friction (mu). Show a sketch of the graph and the linear regression statistics
(slope, y-intercept, and regression constant). Write a paragraph of reasoning in which you
explain how the data and associated graph support the claim that you have made.

X- Mu Acceleration (m/s/s)

0.1 19.02

0.2 18.04

0.3 17.06

0.4 16.08

0.5 15.1

0.6 14.12

0.7 12.84

©The Physics Classroom, All Rights Reserved

From The Physics Classroom’s Physics Interactive http://www.physicsclassroom.com

0.8 12.16

The table depicts the values of the friction coefficient (x-values) and acceleration (y-
values). Stated below are the formulas that are used for the linear regression, also includes the
values of it and the conclusion.

Friction Coefficient vs Acceleration

ŷ = -9.97857X + 20.04286
20
18
16
Mu, Friction Coefficient

14
12 Accel'n (m/s/s)
10 Linear (Accel'n (m/s/s) )
8
6
4
2
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
Acceleration

Claim:
According to the graph above, the relationship of the friction coefficient and
acceleration is inversely proportionate to each other, this relationship between the friction
coefficient and acceleration can be deduced by the formula a=xμ+y.

The equation for linear regression is:

ŷ=ax+ b

a=xμ+b
The slope a of the linear regression is:

a=My−bMx

a=15.55−(−9.98 ( 0.45 ) )

a=20.04286
The y-intercept b of the line regression is:
b=SP /SS X

b=−4.19/0.42
b=−9.97857
The regression constant of the line regression:
©The Physics Classroom, All Rights Reserved
From The Physics Classroom’s Physics Interactive http://www.physicsclassroom.com

ŷ=−9.97857 X +20.04286

Conclusion:
According to the Regression statistics, the Multiple R of the friction coefficient and
acceleration has a strong relationship to each other, as it has a value of 0.999 near to 1. Their
relationship to each other is inversely proportional, which can be observed by trials 1 and 2,
depicting that the friction coefficient to be 0.1 and 0.2, allowing us to observe the decrease in
acceleration as μ increases, trial 1 had an acceleration of 19.02 while trial 2 had an acceleration
of 18.04. This relationship of the acceleration and friction coefficient can be further supported
through the R square, which depicted that 99% of the acceleration values fits in the linear
regression model.

A Challenging Follow-up:
Look at the slope value from your graph. What quantity do you suppose the slope represents?
Make a claim and support it with evidence and reasoning.

- The slope represents the change of acceleration to the friction coefficient. When the
friction coefficient increases, there is a decrease in acceleration. This can be observed
through trials 1 and 2, where trial 1 exhibited a μ of 0.1 and had an acceleration of
19.02, while trial 2 exhibited a μ of 0.2 with an acceleration 18.04, supporting our claim
earlier.

Evidences:

©The Physics Classroom, All Rights Reserved

From The Physics Classroom’s Physics Interactive http://www.physicsclassroom.com

©The Physics Classroom, All Rights Reserved

From The Physics Classroom’s Physics Interactive http://www.physicsclassroom.com

This document should NOT appear on other websites.

©The Physics Classroom, All Rights Reserved