January 14th, 2011

White Team Friction Lab

Finding
Jackson Babb, Josh Kepich, Kyle DeWitt, Joey Cupchack, Keegan Harrington

The Problem , or is the mathematical symbol for the coefficient of friction. We also know that at a constant velocity, the friction force is equal and opposite of the applied force. The problem is how to find from only knowing mass, applied force, and the friction force. Materials A tool to measure the Newtons of an applied force A block of wood with a screw eye in it Three weights of different sizes A pencil or pen A piece of paper Two large squares of a material e.g. carpet and hardwood A scale Procedure 1. Gather materials 2. Weigh the block of wood and all weights 3. Attach scale to wood 4. Pull wood across one of the materials at a constant velocity 5. Measure the amount of Newtons it takes to pull the block of wood 6. Write it down 7. Use different combinations of weights to take seven data points. 8. On one of the surfaces, measure the friction force with the block of wood on its side 9. Repeat steps: 3,4,5, and 6 for three surfaces.