Experiment 8

COEFFICIENT OF STATIC FRICTION

OBJECTIVE

1. Determine μs , the static coefficient of friction sliding the block down a board that
acts as an inclined plane.
2. Determine μs using the board with a pulley mounted on it in a horizontal
position and applying known forces to the block.
3. Compare the different values for μs obtained by the two different techniques.
4. Demonstrate that the coefficient of μs is independent of the normal force.

MATERIALS

Dynamic kit stand, carrier, weights, pulley system, cords, weighing pan, triple beam
balance, meterstick, small coins

THEORY

Static friction occurs when two surfaces are still at rest with respect to each other, but
an attempt is being made to cause one of them to slide over the other one. Static friction
arises to oppose any force trying to cause motion tangent to the surfaces. The static
frictional force μs is given by f s ≤ μ s N , where N stands for the normal force between the
two surfaces, and μs is a constant called the coefficient of static friction.

PROCEDURE

A. Horizontal plane

1. Set the pulley at the end of the box cover of the Dynamic kit stand as shown in
Figure 6. Hook the shorter cord on the carrier and hang over the pulley the
weight pan from the cord’s other end. Adjust the position of the bent shaft of the
pulley to make the direction of the cord from the carrier parallel to the
horizontal box cover.
2. Slowly put weight/s and coins on the pan so that the carrier will just start to
move.
3. Place a weight between the wheels of the carrier. Then repeat Step 2 for three
more trials by adding one more weight on the carrier for each trial.
4. Compute the coefficient of static friction between the carrier and the box cover
by sliding the weight of pan and load by the weight of carrier and load. Record all
results in Table A.

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 Dynamic Kit Stand
Figure 6-1

Wooden cart

Pulley system

B. Inclined Plane

1. Remove the pulley system and pan from the dynamic kit stand.
2. Incline the box cover by using the wooden support initially at the leftmost end of
the box cover. Then move the support slowly toward the right until the carrier
just starts to slide down the incline.
3. From Figure 2 below, measure the “rise” AB and the “run” AC of the inclined box
cover. Record data in table B.

Dynamic kit stand

Figure 6-2
A
C

4. Add one weight between the wheels of the carrier and repeat Steps 2 and 3 for
three more trials, adding one weight each time on the carrier.
5. Divide the “RISE” by the “RUN” of the incline for each trial and complete Table B.

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