THE 

EFFECT OF THE CONTACT

SURFACE ON FRICTIONAL FORCE.
AIM : To study the effects of different contact surfaces on
frictional
force.
PROBLEM STATEMENTS : What is the effect of different
contact
surfaces on frictional force?
HYPOTHESIS : The rougher the contact surface, the higher
the
frictional force.
VARIABLES :(a ) is kept constant :Type of wooden block.
(b) is manipulated : Type of surface.
(c) responds : Frictional force magnitude.
MATERIALS : A wooden block, a spring balance, a sandpaper.
PROCEDURE :
1.Set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram above.
2.Place the wooden block on a table. Pull the wooden block
until it
starts to move.
3.Record the reading on the spring balance in the table
provided.
4.Repeat the experiment on the floor and on the sandpaper.
STEPS : The apparatus are set up shown above. Place the
wooden
block on the table. Reading on the spring balance are record in
the
table.
OBSERVATION :
CONTACT
SURFACE
The table
The floor
The
sandpaper
FRICTIONAL
ANALYSIS :
1. BASED ON THE READING IN THE TABLE ABOVE, DRAW
A BARCHART TO SHOW THE READINGS OF THE SPRING
BALANCEWITH THE DIFFERENT SURFACES.
2. BETWEEN THE TABLE AND FLOOR SURFACES, WHICH
GIVES A
GREATER MAGNITUDE OF FRICTIONAL FORCE?
Floor surface.
3. GIVE AN INFERENCE TO YOUR ANSWER.
The floor surface is rougher than the table surface.
4. DOES THE AREA OF THE SURFACE IN CONTACT
INFLUENCE
THE MAGNITUDE OF FRICTIONAL FORCE?
No.
5. (a) GIVEONE OTHER FACTOR WHICH INFLUENCES
FRICTIOAL
FORCE.
Theweight of the object.
(b) HOW DOES THE FACTOR STATED IN 3(a) INFLUNCE
FRICTIONAL FORCE?
The heavier an object, the higher the frictional force that acts.
CONCLUSION :
1. IS THE HYPOTHESIS FORMED EARLIER ACCEPTABLE?
Yes.
2. WHAT CONCLUSION CAN BE DRAWN FROM THIS
EXPERIMENT?
The heavier an object, the higher the frictional force that acts.
APPLICATION OF IDEA : The road surface is coarse rough so
as to
increase friction between the surface of road and the tyres of
vehicles.
This prevents vehicles from skidding especially when it rains.
REFLECTION : Friction is needed to slow down or stop a
moving
Vehicle