Name:___________________________. Class:____________________. Batch:_____________.

Roll No.:_____________ Expt. No.

Performed on:______________. Submitted on:_____________. Teacher’s Sign.:____________.

DETERMINATION OF COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION

BETWEEN FLAT BELT AND PULLEY
Purpose of the experiment:-

To introduce and develop the concept of Frictional force, Coulomb’s laws of friction, and belt friction. To
determine the coefficient of friction between a flat belt and pulley.

Instruments:-

Belt friction apparatus flat belt, weights, and hangers.

Theory:-

Friction: If two bodies are in contact with each other the property whereby a force is exerted between
them at their point of contact preventing one from sliding over the other is called friction and the force
that comes into play is called the force of friction. It is a passive self-adjusting force always opposing the
motion or the impending motion. As much frictional force is called into play as is necessary to prevent
motion.There is always a limit to the force of friction. This limiting frictional force bears a constant ratio
to the normal reaction between the two bodies and depends purely on the nature of surfaces of contact and
is independent of the extent or shape of the bearing surface.

The angle of Friction:

If the reaction normal to the surface is denoted by N, and the frictional force along the surface at the
instant, motion is just impending is denoted by Fmax, then the angle of friction is defined as
( Fmax )
  tan 1
N

Fig. 1: Block resting on rough surface and its FBD

Coulomb’s Law of Friction:

1. The frictional force F acts along the tangent plane at the surface of contact and opposes the
movement of bodies in contact. The maximum frictional force that can be possibly developed is
proportional to the normal reaction N at the surface of contact. Thus Fmax = µN, where µ is termed
as the coefficient of friction.

2. For a given value of normal reaction N, the coefficient of friction is independent of the areas in
contact.

3. Once sliding occurs, the frictional force developed is independent of the velocity of sliding for
low velocities. This frictional force, however, is less than the force just when sliding is about to
occur.

Belt Friction:

To study the effect of friction on the tension in a belt when it passes over a rough cylindrical surface.
[Ref. Fig. No. 2 (a), 2 (b).The pulley of radius ‘r’ is stationary. A belt passes around the pulley subtending
an angle β, which is known as the ‘Angle of Lap’. T1 is the tension on the tight side and T2 is the tension
on the slack side. Both these forces are such that the motion of the belt is impending in the direction of T 1.
We shall now investigate the relationship between T 1 and T2 with β and µ. It should be noted that normal
reaction in the belt increases from 0 to maximum at the center. Hence forces acting on a small
infinitesimal element (fig. 2 (b)) have to be considered and their total effect over the entire arc has to be
obtained.

Fig. No. 2 (a) Fig. No. 2 (b)

Where, T1 = Tension on tight side, T2 = Tension on slack side, N = Normal reaction on element
considered F = Frictional force = µN, β = Angle of lap
Resolve along X-X (tangential direction).

T  dT cos d  T cos d   N  0
 2 2 

 d 
 dT cos   N
 2 

 d   d 
As   is very very small cos   =1
 2   2 

 dT   N …………..…….(1)

Resolve along Y-Y (Normal direction)

 d   d 
N-T sin   -(T + dT) sin   =0
 2   2 

 d   d   d 
As   is very very small sin  =   , and (dT x dθ) is neglected.
 2   2   2 

 d 
N – 2T  =0
 2 

N = T .dθ ………………….(2)

From equation (1) and (2), we get

dT = µ. T. dθ

 dT 
   
 T 
T1 
 dT 
T  T   0 .d
2

T1
 e 
T2

While deriving the above relationship, the mass of the belt is neglected.
Procedure:-

Case-1: Determination of coefficient of friction µ by maintaining the angle of lap β constant.

1. Adjust the angle β by rotating the graduated disc such that desired angle β is observed below the
pointer. Then fix the handle tightly.

2. Clean the surfaces of the belt and pulley.

3. By holding the belt, place known weight T 2 on one side (slack side).

4. Adjust the weights T1 on the tight side such that the belt just starts sliding over the pulley. (This
may be ascertained by making a chalk mark on the belt and pulley).

5. Repeat the procedure for five different values of T 2 and tabulate the results.

Case-2: Determination of coefficient friction µ by maintaining T 2 i.e. tensions on slack side constant.

Experiment, in a similar manner as in case 1 except that instead of keeping the value of β constant, keep
T2 constant and vary the value of the angle of lap β.

Observations and Calculations:-

Sr. Case -1, β = Sr. Case-2, T2=

No. No.
T2(N) T1(N) µ β (deg) β (rad) T1 (N) µ (N)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
µave = µave =

Space for Calculation

Graphs:

Case-1: Draw a graph with values of T 2 on the X-axis and that of T1 on Y axis. The scale chosen should
be the same on both axes. The graph will be a straight line passing through the origin.

Case-2: Draw a graph with the value of β (rad) on the X axis and loge T1 on the Y axis. The graph will be
a straight line, with Y intercept as loge T2. The slope of the straight line will be the value of µ.

Result:-

Case (1) Case (2)

µ (Experimental) µ (Graphical) µ (Experimental) µ (Graphical)

The average value of µ =

Hence the coefficient of friction between the given flat belt and pulley =___________

Questions:-

1. State the laws of friction.

2. What is the difference between Static friction and dynamic friction?

3. Define the coefficient of friction and the angle of friction.

4. What do you mean by the angle of the lap?

5. What is the relationship between tight tension and slack tension for a flat belt passing over a
stationary pulley?
Space for question Answer