Name:

Friction
Friction is the force that resists motion and can be determined in either static situations or
kinetic situations using the following equation:
F f =μN
Static friction is the amount of friction that resists the start of motion and kinetic friction resists
an object’s continued motion. The coefficient of friction depends on a number of factors
including surface area and the types of surfaces in contact. The only way to determine a
coefficient of friction is experimentally. (Note: if a graph of Ff vs. N is drawn, the slope of the
graph is μ).

The angle of repose is defined as the angle at which an object just starts to slide down an
inclined plane. If θR is the angle of repose, it can be shown that μs = tan θR. The angle of
uniform slip is defined as the angle at which an object when pushed continues down an inclined
plane with a constant velocity. If θS is the angle of uniform slip, it can be shown that μk = tan θS.

In this experiment you will determine the coefficient of kinetic and static friction.

Procedure:

1. Measure and record the mass of the wooden block.

2. Set the block on the horizontal surface and attach a cord which is connected to the ‘force
probe’. Pull with an increasing force until the block begins to move (FBreak) and record this
value. Pull with a force that is just sufficient to keep the box sliding slowly with constant
speed (FVconstant) after it has been started with a small push and record this value.
3. Repeat Procedure 2, placing masses totaling 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 grams
successively on the wooden block. Record the forces in the data table.
4. Set the incline to some angle  Repeat Procedure 2 while pulling the block up the plane
5. Measure the limiting angle of repose (the angle at which an object begins to freely slide
down an incline) with two 100 g masses attached. Repeat this 4 times.
6. Measure the angle of slip (the angle at which an object freely slides down an incline with a
constant speed) with two 100 g masses attached. Repeat this 4 times.
Calculations:
1. From the data of Procedures 1-4, calculate and record the coefficient of static and kinetic
friction for each of the trials. Then, calculate an overall average coefficient of kinetic
friction from these values.
2. From the data of Procedures 1-3, make a graph using the values of the total normal force on
the abscissa (x axis) and the values of the friction force on the ordinate (y axis).
3. Calculate the coefficient of static and kinetic friction from the slope of the best-fit line of the
data points. Compare this with the result from Calculations 1.

Horizontal Plane
 Trial Mass Weight FNormal FBreak FVconst S K
(kg) (N) (N) (N) (N)
1 0.421 1.69 1.20

2 0.521 2.01 1.40

3 0.621 2.46 1.58

4 0.821 3.27 2.12

5 0.921 3.73 2.43

6 0.971 3.98 2.68

Average
Sample Calculations:

Incline Plane: = 14.0°

Trial Mass Weight FNormal FParallel FBreak FVconst S K

(kg) (N) (N) (N) (N) (N)
1 0.421 2.62 2.07

2 0.521 3.15 2.66

3 0.621 3.92 3.13

4 0.821 5.15 4.00

5 0.921 5.63 4.61

6 0.971 6.12 4.84

Average =
Sample Calculations:

Lab Problem
s = 0.70 Fapp
k = 0.40 20.kg

37°

Stickman provides Fapplied

Find Fapplied when: a) to break free.

b) to move up — vconstant = 2.3 m/s.
c) to move down — vconstant = 3.7 m/s.
d) to accelerate up — a = 2.0 m/s2.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)