Jacquez Stewart

October 11, 2018

Friction Lab
Purpose:
The purpose of this lab is to determine the coefficients of static and kinetic friction between two
surfaces using graphical analysis. Also, to determine the coefficient of static friction for a
wooden block on a metal track and to relate this coefficient to the maximum angle at which the
track can be inclined before the block accelerated from rest.

Procedure:
Place the block of wood on the metal track. Next, connect the spring scale to the hook on the end
of the block. Pull on the block slowly and gradually increase the force until the block of wood
budges. Record the amount of force that makes the wood budge. This force is equal to the max
static friction force of the block. Next, pull the block at a constant speed and record the force
used to do so. This force is equal to the force of sliding friction on the block. Repeat these steps 6
times, each time increasing the mass of the block of wood by adding different combinations of
the 50g, 100g, 200g, and 500g masses provided. Graph the force of static friction versus the
normal force and the force of sliding friction versus the normal force. Use graphical analysis to
determine the coefficients of sliding friction and static friction.

In part two of the procedure, the track is slowly elevated slowly on one end until the block of
wood budges from its resting position. Measure the angle from the elevated side of the track
using the protractor tool provided. Subtract this angle from 90 to find the incline angle. Use
previous knowledge to determine the coefficient of static friction.

Data:

Additional Total Force that Force at Constant

Trials Mass(kg) Mass(Kg) Weight(N) Budges(N) Speed (N)
1 0 0.3465 3.3957 1.2 1
2 0.5 0.8465 8.2957 2.2 2
3 1 1.3465 13.1957 4.6 3
4 1.3 1.6465 16.1357 5 4.2
5 1.8 2.1465 21.0357 6.6 5.2
6 2 2.3465 22.9957 7.2 6

Theta Prime Theta max Average theta

Trials (degrees) (degrees) (degrees)
1 75 15 15.25
 2 74 16 15.25
3 75 15 15.25
4 75 15 15.25

Graphs:
Calculations:
● Calculation of coefficient of static friction
○ Coefficient of static friction = slope of force of static friction vs normal force
○ Points used for slope calculation: (20,6.3), (0,0)
○ (6.3-0)÷ (20-0) = 0.315
○ Coefficient of static friction = 0.315
● Calculation of coefficient of sliding friction
○ Coefficient of sliding friction = slope of force of sliding friction vs normal force
○ Points used for slope calculation: (3.5,1), (15.9, 4)
○ (4-1)÷ (15.9-3.5) = .241
○ Coefficient of sliding friction = 0.241
● Calculation of coefficient of static friction using incline angle
○ fnet= f|| - ff
○ fnet=fgsinθ max - ( μs⋅fgcosθ max)
○ -ma+fgsinθ max = μs⋅fgcosθ max
○ (-ma+fgsinθ max)÷ (fgcosθ max)= μs
○ m= .3465 kg, a= 0 m/s2, θ max= 15.25 degrees
○ (sinθ max)÷ (cosθ max)= μs
○ tanθ max= μs
○ tan(15.25)= μs
○ μs= .273
● Percent error calculation
 ○ [(observed - accepted)÷ accepted]⋅100
○ [(.315-.273)÷ .273]⋅100
○ 15.38%

Conclusion:
After completing the experiment, it was concluded that the coefficient for static friction in
procedure A is .315, and the coefficient for sliding friction in procedure A is .241. Both of these
values were found through graphical analysis. Since the graphs Force of Static Friction vs
Normal Force and Force of Sliding Friction vs Normal Force both yield straight lines, it can be
concluded that there is a direct relationship between static friction and normal force, and sliding
friction and normal force. Because this is true, and since one knows that the coefficients of
friction are always constant, it can be concluded that the coefficient of friction is equal to the
constant part of the equation, otherwise known as the slope. The experimental coefficient of
friction that was calculated was .315 which was fairly accurate considering the percent error was
15.38%.

After completing procedure B it was concluded that the coefficient of static friction is equal
to .273. This was determined algebraically. The fNET expression was simplified and then put into
terms of μs. Using the information given, one was then able to solve for μs. The yielding result
was .273. One was also able to determine that there is a direct relationship between μs and the
tangent of θ max. The maximum angle that the track can be elevated before the block starts to
accelerate is 15.25 degrees.

The coefficient of static friction is greater more than the coefficient of sliding friction. This
supports the prior conclusion that the coefficient of sliding friction will always be less than the
coefficient of static friction.

The coefficient of friction seems to depend the nature of the two surfaces. It definitely does not
depend on the weight of the object. This is can be seen in the calculations section. In the
calculation of static friction using inline angle, fg ends up cancelling itself out of the equation.
The coefficient of friction does not depend on surface area either, as there are no variables that
relate to surface area in the equation of the coefficient of static friction. Velocity is not involved
in the equation of coefficient of friction either, which means that there is no relation between
coefficient of friction and the velocity of an object.

Sources of Error:
Some sources of error for this lab include unsteady hands while pulling the block, elevating the
track, and measuring angles. In order to get accurate measurements on these variables, a steady
hand would be preferred. It was also very hard to read the spring scale when looking for the
force that budges the block of wood so these readings are could possibly be a little inaccurate.