Physics for Engineers 1015

LABORATORY
ACTIVITY Coefficient of Friction

No. 3
Objectives After completing this activity, you will be able to:

1. Distinguish between friction in a static situation and

akinetic situation.
2. Apply friction concepts in real life situation.

Time to Complete 3 Hours

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
– Dynamics Cart (ME-9430)
– Metric tape (SE-8712)
– Stopwatch (SE-8702)

Purpose
In this lab, the Dynamics Cart will be launched over the floor using the on-board spring launcher. The
cart will “decelerate” over the floor under the combined action of rolling friction and the average floor
slope. In order to determine both the coefficient of rolling friction μ r and q, the small angle at which the
floor is inclined, two separate experiments must be done. (Recall that to determine the value of two
unknowns you must have two equations.)

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Theory

The cart will be launched several times in one direction and then it will be launched several times along
the same course but in the opposite direction. For example, if the first few runs are toward the east then
the next few runs will be toward the west. See Figure 2.1. In the direction which is slightly down-slope
the acceleration of the cart is given by:

And the acceleration in the direction that is slightly up-slope will be:

Numerical values for these accelerations can be determined by measuring both the distance d that the
cart rolls before stopping and the corresponding time t. Given these values the acceleration can be
determined from:

Having obtained numerical values for a1 and a2, EQN-1 and EQN-2 can be solved simultaneously for μr
and Ɵ.

Procedure
1. Place the cart in its starting position and then launch it. To cock the spring plunger, push the
plunger in, and then push the plunger upward slightly to allow one of the notches on the
plunger bar to “catch” on the edge of the small metal bar at the top of the hole. Using a
stopwatch and metric tape, determine the range d and the total time spent rolling t. Record
these in Table 2.1
2. Repeat step 1 six times for each direction and enter your results in Table 2.1.
3. Using EQN-3, compute the accelerations corresponding to your data and an average
acceleration for each of the two directions.
4. Using the results of step 3 determine μr, and ϴ by solving for the two unknowns algebraically.

Trial First Direction Trial Second Direction

2
1 d(cm) t(sec) a(cm/s ) 1 d(cm) t(sec) a(cm/s2)

2 2

3 3

4 4

5 5

6 6

Average acceleration________________cm/s2 Average acceleration________________cm/s2

Data Analysis

Coefficient of rolling friction = ________________ Floor Angle = ________________

Questions

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1. Can you think of another way to determine the acceleration of the cart? If you have time tryit!
2. How large is the effect of floor slope compared to that of rolling friction?

RUBRIC FOR ON-LABORATORY PERFORMANCE (Group Rating)

Minimum Expectation:

To receive a passing rate for you On-Lab Performance, you must earn a total of five (5) points for
the following criteria:
A. Teamwork
B. Use of Equipment
MAXIMUM
RATING POINT
ALLOTED DISTRIBUTION
CRITERIA S
POINTS
A. Teamwork 5 (5 pts.) Share responsibility, cohesion, interaction,
respect & completion of task
(4 pts.) The group clearly displays four of these
five behaviors.
(3 pts.) The group clearly displays three of these
five behaviors.
(2 pts.) The group clearly displays two of these
five behaviors.
(1 pt.) The group clearly displays one of these five
behaviors.
(0 pt.) The group or member of the group is
frequently distracted and/or distracts others from
the task at hand.
B. Use of 5
Equipment
1. Proper 3 (3pts.)Proper handling and safety precautions are
handling and above requirements
usage of the (2.5 pts.)Usage is safe for both materials and
laboratory equipment
equipment (1pt.) The equipment and/or materials are put to
and materials risk during the performance of the activity
in a manner (0pt.)Damage to materials or equipment due to
that does not improper usage
endanger the
equipment
and other
materials
2. Setup of 2 (2pts.)Proper set up of equipment and materials
equipment (1pt.)Set up will cause minor errors
and materials (0.5 pt.)Set up in non-functional manner.
Total Points Earned from A-B

Group Number: ____________

NAMES:
1. _______________________________________
2. _______________________________________
3. _______________________________________
4. _______________________________________
5. _______________________________________
6. _______________________________________
7. _______________________________________
8. _______________________________________

Evaluated By:

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_______________________________________________
Course Instructor

RUBRIC FOR LABORATORY REPORT(Individual Rating)

Minimum Expectation:To receive a passing rate for yourlaboratory report, you must earn a total
of five (5) points for the following standards.

 The laboratory report was complete.

 The laboratory report was submitted on time.
 The laboratory report was in standard format.
 The laboratory report was handwritten.
 The laboratory report manifests uniqueness.

For every standard met will be given 1 point, a total of 5 points if all of the categories above
are met.

Grading:Laboratory reportmeeting the minimum expectations will be graded for content

Laboratory report content

___does not meet expectations (0.5)

___meets expectations (+1)
___exceeds expectations (+3)
___far exceeds expectations (+5)

Far Exceeds Expectations Exceeds Meets Does not Meet

Expectations Expectations Expectations
The laboratory report manifests the following The laboratory The circuit The circuit
characteristics: report construction construction
 detailed enough to allow duplication of manifests at manifests at do not
results by another least three of least one manifests any
 Reports logically coherent and sequential the characteristics of the above
 Correlation between data and theory characteristics mentioned characteristics
 Ability to recognize main sources of errors mentioned
 Critical evaluation of findings and draw
proper conclusions

Group Number: ____________

NAME: _______________________________________________________________________ Total Score:

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