Experiment # 4: Newton's 2nd Law and friction

Object.- Experimentally use Newton's second law, for the case of an object of constant mass, m,
Fnet = m a (1) , to measure the coefficients of static and kinetic friction.

Introduction.- When forces are exerted on an object of constant mass m , the sum of these
forces Fnet (net force or total force) equals the product of the mass, m, and the acceleration, a, of
the mass, eq. (1). In this lab we will use a system consisting of a block of mass m, placed on a
flat inclined plane, with an angle of inclination,  , see Fig. 1a. The forces acting on the block are
a) the force of gravity, Fg which is vertically down and has a magnitude of mg , where
g = 9.80 m/s2 is the magnitude for the acceleration of gravity; and b) The force of the supporting
surface, the inclined plane, F.

Now, if the object is at rest, then its velocity is zero and constant, so it has zero acceleration. By
Newton’s second law, Fnet = Fg + F = 0 , so. F = - Fg , Fig. 1b. If we choose a coordinate system
so that the + x axis is parallel to the incline and downwards, then we have,
Along the y axis: the component of F perpendicular to the surface, known as the “normal” force,
FN , and the component of the weight, - Fg cos (the minus sign is because it is along the -y
direction), since Fnety = 0 = FN + ( - Fg cos ) , then,
FN = Fg cos ( 2a

Fig. 1a. Block on inclined plane. Fig. 1b. Block at rest on Fig. 1c. Block sliding on plane
We show the two forces on it. Inclined plane, Fnet = 0 Fnetx = Fg sin1 – fk = m ax

Along the x axis: the component of F parallel to the surface, known as static friction (force the
surface exerts on object opposing object sliding on it), - fs ( In this example it is in the -x
direction), and the component of the weight parallel to the supporting surface, Fg sin .
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Since Fnetx = 0 = Fg sin + ( - fs ) , then,
fs = Fg sin ( 2b )

Now, the force of static friction, which opposes the sliding of the object’s surface relative to the
supporting surface is as small as zero and increases gradually, as the forces that is attempting to
slide the object increases (try moving a table on a flat horizontal surface, if you apply a small
forces, table does not move; as you increase the force, you get to a point where the object starts
moving), only up to a maximum value, fxmax . An empirical approximation to this maximum value
of static friction establishes that it is proportional to the normal force,
fxmax = m s FN ( 2c )

Where ms is known as the coefficient of static friction and is a constant that we will measure in
the lab for the surfaces that you experiment with.

From Eq. ( 2b ) and ( 2c ), we can see that, as the angle of inclination increases, fs increases too,
until it reaches its maximum value, the angle for which the maximum is reached, 0 , is the angle
for object to start sliding,
fsmax = Fg sin0 = ms FN ( 2d )

Using Eqs. (2a) and (2d), one can show that ms = tan 0 ( 2e )

If you want an alternate explanation, you can see this video

Question 1. Using Eqs. ( 2a ) through ( 2d ) derive Eq. ( 2e )

Now, for an angle 1 > 0 , the object slides and friction is now a smaller value, with a smaller
coefficient of friction, known as the coefficient of kinetic friction, mk ,

So, along the direction of motion, we have, Fnetx = m ax = m g sin 1 – m g mk cos1 )

From this we find the acceleration, ax = g ( sin 1 – mk cos1 ) (3)

Now, if we release the block, initial velocity vo = 0, the distance l traveled in a time t , Fig. 1c ,
is given by

l = ( ax t2 ) / 2 (4)

Question 2. Using Eqs. ( 3 ) and ( 4 ), show that mk = tan1 – ( ( 2 l ) / ( g t2 cos1 ) ) (5)

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Procedure.-

1. Get a flat surface, “plank”, at least 50 cm long and 10 cm wide. Ideally a wooden plank from a
bookcase, or the surface of a light table. You also need a protractor to measure angle of
inclination  ( or by measuring length of plank and height difference between the ends or use app
in your cell phone to measure “pitch”). Now you need a small object, “block”, with a relatively
flat surface that will slide on the larger flat surface, examples are a coin (penny, nickel, dime,
quarter, …), a dice, a rectangular battery ( 9-volt battery, lithium rechargeable ), …. Finally, you
need the stopwatch in your cellphone, and a small cylindrical object ( AA, AAA, C, D, battery)
or object that rolls (small ball, small toy car )

2. Place block on one end of initially horizontal plank,  = 0o , the other end should not slide as
you tilt the plank. Slowly, increase the inclination  until block begins to slide, this is 0 . Bring
the plank back to its horizontal position and measure 0 three more times for four trials.
Determine the average value of 0 for your four trials, 0avg , and use this average in Eq. ( 2e ) to
find the coefficient of static friction between the two surfaces.

3. Set plank so its angle of tilting, 1 = 0avg + 4o . Place block on top of plank and, measure the
time, t , from moment of release until it travels a distance l down the plank. Repeat the
measurement of time twice more, find the average time and, use Eq. ( 5 ) to calculate mk .

4. Set 1 = 0avg + 8o and repeat, step 3. Find the percent discrepancy between the two
measurements for mk .

5. Place plank in horizontal position, with cylindrical object at rest near one end. Slowly increase
the angle of inclination until objects begins to roll. Measure this angle of rolling , R , and
determine the coefficient of rolling friction , mR = tanR .

Question 3. Based on the values obtained for mk and mR , albeit on different objects’ surfaces,
give an explanation for the significance of the invention of the wheel in the technological
advance of humans.

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 Data Tables

Static friction

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4

0

0avg = ms =

Kinetic Friction

l= m 1 = 0avg + 4o

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

t (s)

tavg = mk1 =

l= m 1 = 0avg + 8o

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

t (s)

tavg = mk2 =

Average value for mk =

Rolling friction, mR =

Question 4. A version of the Irish folk song, “Why Paddy is not at work today” [Also known as
“The Sick Note”] can be heard and seen here . Using your understanding of Newton’s Laws, give
a physical explanation of what happened at different stages of the bricklayer’s experience.

Question 5. For the young man in this spinning scene , at time of play 1’:00”, and assuming
young man is in uniform circular motion, sketch and clearly label, all the forces acting on him.