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12 Factors Influencing Friction Force (TM)
12 Factors Influencing Friction Force (TM)
12 Factors Influencing Friction Force (TM)
Objective
Skills
Concepts
Strategy
1. Review students the general idea of friction, like characteristics, nature and kinds of friction.
(But don’t discuss yet its influencing factors.
2. Distribute equipment to each group.
3. For few minutes, let students manipulate the distributed equipment. Guide them to come up
with ideas as to what could have an influence on friction force. Collect all assumptions.
4. Explain to students that the method to apply for further investigation is, always, to vary only
one factor at a time. Each assumed factor must be varied and it has to be observed keenly if
ever it influences friction force. Identify three assumed factors (area, nature of surfaces,
weight) to be investigated. Make students understand that if there are more assumptions, more
experiments have to be done. And to be efficient with time, it is enough to do the following:
5. Distribute worksheets to students by groups and let them do their respective experiments.
Closely monitor each group.
6. Reporting and sharing of results: Call one or two representatives from each group to report to
the class what they did and what they found out in their respective groups.
7. Make a summary of the group.
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Experiment A: Friction and Weight Experiment B: Friction and nature of Experiment C: Friction and Area
Surface
Equipment Equipment:
1 spring balance, 5N or10N 1 spring balance, 5N or 10N 1 spring balance, 5N or 10N
1 friction block 1 friction block 1 friction block
1 friction board 1 friction board 1 friction board
2 hooked masses, 250g
Set – up Set – up
Measurements
Data Analysis 1. the greater the weight, 1. Force of friction varies with different 1. Area of surfaces in contact does not
the greater the friction surfaces in contact. influence force of friction.
force. (all other factors constant) (all other factors constant)
(all other factors constant)
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Conceptualization
Make students be aware that:
a) Nature of surfaces in contact. There are ways of varying and altering surfaces,
one is by applying lubricants.
b) Weight of the object. The greater is the weight, the greater is the force of friction.
2. The area of contact of sliding surface does not influence force of friction if all other
factors are kept constant.
Exercises / Problems
Experiment A. As far as reducing friction is concerned, both solutions are correct. If some load
are removed, the weight of the carton would be reduced. If the carton is lifted,
somehow, the normal force pressing the two surfaces would be reduced also,
thereby decreasing friction force between the carton and the floor.
Experiment B. They could try spreading the mat across the floor and let the box slide over it and
find out if hopefully there is any decrease in the force they have to exert. It could
be quite the opposite.
Experiment C. Since the size of contact area does not affect friction force, the same amount of
force has to be exerted whichever side is in contact with the floor.
Application / Evaluation
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