Coefficients of Friction – Lab Instructions

Investigation Questions
What is the coefficient of friction for the following surfaces wood on lab bench and fibre board on wood
Which pair of surfaces will have the least coefficient of friction?

Materials: Wooden block with a wooden surface and a fibreglass a surface; masses; force sensor; string

Instructions: Coefficient of static & Kinetic Friction

The mass of the wooden block was measured and recorded. The block was placed with it wooden surface on the
wooden surface of lab bench. A force sensor was attached to the block by a string. The block was pulled
horizontally until it just started to move. The magnitude of the force to cause the block to just start sliding was
recorded. The block was then pulled horizontally so that it moved with uniform velocity. The magnitude of the
force required was recorded. The block was turned over so that the fibreglass side was in contact with the lab
bench and the steps repeated. Masses were added to the top of the block and the steps repeated. The
observations are in the table below.

Observations:

Surfaces in contact Mass of block (g) Applied force to just get Applied force to move
block to start sliding (N) block at uniform
velocity (N))
Wood on wood (lab 565 1.9 1.4
bench surface) 650 2.2 1.6
750 2.5 1.9
Fibre glass on wood 565 2.4 2.0
(lab bench surface) 650 2.8 2.3
750 3.2 2.6

Analysis:
1. Draw a FBD of:
(a) The block at rest and being pulled horizontally and just about to slide.
(b) The block being pulled horizontally and moving with uniform velocity.

2. Use your FBD and the values in the table to show one sample calculation of the kinetic and static frictional force.

3. Calculate the weight of the block and the normal force acting from the surface. Show one sample calculation.

4. Calculate the coefficient of static and kinetic friction for both pair of surfaces. Show a sample calculation of each.

5. Calculate the average values for the coefficient of static and kinetic friction for both pairs of surfaces.
A sample calculation means that you select one row and show all the calculations only for that row. You must complete
the remaining calculations, but you do not need to show them. List the variables when showing your sample calculations.
Show the complete the table that follows.

Surfaces in Mass of Weight of Normal Static Kinetic Coefficient Coefficient

Contact block Block force Friction Friction of static of kinetic
 friction friction

Evaluation Questions
1. Which frictional force, static or kinetic, is greater for each pair of surfaces? Provide evidence from your table to
support your answer.

2. Which pair of surface has the lowest coefficient of static and kinetic friction? Provide evidence from your table to
support your answer.

3. Which coefficient of friction is greater? Provide evidence from your table to support your answer.

Write a conclusion for your investigation based on the investigation questions.

Report Requirement:

Include the following in your report: Title; Investigation questions; Background; Observations; Freebody diagrams;
Calculations; Data table; answers to evaluation questions; Conclusion

Way Needs Not quite Meets

below significant meeting expectations Exceeds expectations
expectatio improvemen expectati
ns t ons
Level 3
R Level 1 Level 2 Level 4
Description
Report Title An appropriate title is shown at the top of the
(C) report.
Background Information presented is relevant. Terms are used
Information correctly. Content addresses the basic
information about friction. Sources are cited
(C) where applicable.
Question (T) The question is included.
Observation A detailed observation table contains all
s (c) necessary measured values. Multiple
measurements are taken, and average values are
calculated.
FBD’s FBD’s are properly drawn and labelled using
correct symbols and ruler. Forces have
arrowheads.
Calculations Calculations are organized using the GUESS
method. All sample calculations shown correctly
with units and correct significant digits.
Analysis (T) All information presented; head of columns have
the correct units. Same number of significant
figures in a column.
Evaluation Questions are addressed and connections
Questions between theory and the observations are
identified and explained. Supporting evidence is
(T) provided from data tables.
Conclusion Conclusion addresses investigation question and
(T) summarizes the results of the investigation
Conventions Minor spelling and grammar errors. Sections are
(C) clearly identified, and all sections are present.