Lab Report

Sliding Friction

Group 2:
• MAHRUKH AGHA
• FAHAD
• ABDULLAH
• MAHARBANO
• EEMAN
• ABDULLAH

Introduction
Friction trays feature various bottom surface materials, and a Force Sensor is
employed to systematically move these trays along a track while directly
measuring the frictional force. The investigation covers multiple parameters,
such as speed, normal force, and surface area. (See Fig 1)

Fig. 1

COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION:
The coefficient of friction, denoted as µ, quantifies the
level of friction between two surfaces. A low µ indicates that less force is needed
for sliding compared to surfaces with a high µ. The formula for calculating µ is
provided.

APPRATUS :
1) MOTION SENSOR
2) FORCE SENSOR
3) FRICTIONAL CARTS
4) COMPACT MASSES
5) STRING
6) BALANCE

Page #1
SETUP:
SET UP THE APPARATUS ACCORDING TO FIGURE 2.

CONNECT THE MOTION SENSOR TO PASPORT PORT P1.

USE A STRING TO ATTACH THE FORCE SENSOR TO PASPORT

PORT P4 AND SECURE IT TO THE FRICTION TRAY.

PLACE THE REQUIRED FRICTION TRAY IN FRONT OF THE MOTION SENSOR AND ADD THE NECESSARY
MASS.

FOLLOW THE VISUAL SETUP IN FIGURE 2.

ESTABLISH A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE PASPORT DEVICE AND YOUR COMPUTER/LAPTOP.

OPEN THE PASCO APPLICATION AND CONFIGURE GRAPHS, CHARTS, AND THE CALCULATOR.

ENSURE THAT BOTH THE MOTION SENSOR AND FORCE SENSOR ARE SUCCESSFULLY DETECTED BY THE
APPLICATION .

RESET THE FORCE SENSOR TO ZERO USING THE DESIGNATED BUTTON AT THE TOP. THIS SEQUENCE OF
STEPS IS CRUCIAL FOR CONDUCTING THE EXPERIMENT EFFECTIVELY .

PROCEDURE:
1) CONNECT FORCE AND MOTION SENSORS TO THE UNIVERSAL INTERFACE AND LINK TO A
COMPUTER/LAPTOP.

II) INPASCO CAPSTONE SOFTWARE, CREATE TWO GRAPHS: VELOCITY VS TIME FOR THE
FIRST GRAPH AND FORCE VS TIME FOR THE SECOND GRAPH.

III) SET THE SAMPLE RATE FOR BOTH SENSORS TO 20HZ.

IV) CHOOSE A FRICTION TRAY WITH THE DESIRED MATERIAL (E.G., FELT, CORK, PLASTIC).

V) ENSURE THE MOTION SENSOR IS PLACED LEVEL ON ONE END OF THE TEST SURFACE FOR
ACCURACY.

VI) LOAD THE FRICTION TRAY WITH THE REQUIRED TEST WEIGHT (500G OR 750G).

VII)MEASURE AND RECORD THE TOTAL WEIGHT OF THE FRICTION TRAY AND ADDED LOAD
USING AN ANALYTICAL BALANCE.
VIII)
ATTACH THE FRICTION TRAY WITH THE LOAD TO THE FORCE SENSOR USING A STRING
AND POSITION IT 15-20CM AWAY FROM THE MOTION SENSOR.

IX) HOLD THE FORCE SENSOR HORIZONTALLY TO MAINTAIN TENSION ON THE STRING.

X) PRESS THE RECORD BUTTON INCAPSTONE AND STEADILY PULL THE FRICTION TRAY AT A
CONSTANT VELOCITY. STOP RECORDING WHEN IT REACHES THE END OF THE TEST SURFACE.

XI) IDENTIFY THE HIGHEST PEAK ON THE FORCE-TIME GRAPH AS THE STATIC FRICTION (FS)
VALUE FOR THE MATERIAL. THE MEAN OF RECORDED MEASUREMENTS AFTER THIS PEAK
REPRESENTS THE KINETIC FRICTION (FK) VALUE.

XII)
REPEAT THE EXPERIMENT TWICE FOR ALL MATERIALS, ONCE WITH AN ADDED LOAD OF
500G AND ONCE AGAIN WITH 750G.

MEASURING SPEED & FORCE:

 Initially, place the trays at a short distance in front of the motion sensor;
this serves as the starting position for all runs.
 Ensure there is no tension in the string during the experiment by letting it
go slack.
 Adjust the sample rate of all sensors to a consistent 20 Hz.
 Click the "start run" button in the application and begin pulling the Friction
Tray.
 After pulling the tray for a few
seconds, stop the recording.
 The application will display readings
on both the velocity and force-time
graphs for analysis..

CHANGING SURFACE MATERIAL AND AREA:

 We need to collect info from 3 different surface materials (Plastic, Felt, Cork).
 Change the Friction Trays 1 by 1 after taking their reading with different weights.
 Different Friction trays are shown in Fig.3.
Fig. 3 (Different Types of Friction Trays)
  We’ll measure a total of 8 readings 2x Plastic (1000g,500g), 2x Cork (1000g,500g), 2x Felt
(1000g,500g), 1x Plastic Train (1000g) and 1x Plastic Stack (1000g).
 To change surface area make a train and stack the plastic trays on each other as shown in the Fig.4.

Fig.4 (Train and Stack formation of Friction Trays)

 Using different weights will give different reading on PASCO application.

SETTING UP TABLES & GRAPHS:

. To set up the experiment, create a table with six columns: Total Mass, Normal Force,
Static Force, Kinetic Force, Coefficients of Kinetic Friction, and Coefficients of Static
Friction. Input values for Total Mass, Maximum Force, and Mean Force in the Static
Force and Kinetic Force columns. Use a calculator to determine the values of Normal
Force, μk (coefficient of kinetic friction), and μs (coefficient of static friction).

Next, construct a graph with Force on the y-axis and Normal Force on the x-axis.
Measure the slope of the graph to calculate the coefficient of friction. This setup
allows for the systematic analysis of frictional properties based on mass and force
measurements.

Calculations
Plastic:

Mass (kg) Fn (N) Fs (N) Fk (N) µS µK

0.582 1.942 1.942 1.551 0.338 0.27
0.825 8.28 2.997 2.199 0.368 0.27
• Fs = Highest Value

• Fk = Mean Value

• We find Fn using the formula, Fn=mg

• µs=Fs/Fn

• µk=Fs/Fk

GRAPHS:

GRAPH 1 GRAPH 2

(Graph between force and time using 0.582kg mass) (Graph between force and time using 0.825kg mass)

EXPLANATION

Graph 1

We obtained the values of Fs (frictional force) and Fn (normal force) using an apparatus with a mass of 0.582 kg, resulting in the
highest value of 1.942 N and a mean value of 1.551 N. Additionally, you calculated Fn using the formula mg, which also yielded
a value of 1.942 N. To determine the coefficient of friction (µ), you divided the value of Fs by Fn and we got the values, 0.338N
and 0.27N.

Graph 2

We obtained the values of Fs (frictional force) and Fn (normal force) using an apparatus with a mass of 0.825kg , resulting in the
highest value of 2.997N and a mean value of 2.199 N. Additionally, you calculated Fn using the formula mg, which also yielded a
value of 8.28 N. To determine the coefficient of friction (µ), you divided the value of Fs by Fn and got the values, 0.368N and
0.27N
Cork:

Mass (kg) Fn Fs Fk µs µk
0.57kg 5.62 2.624 1.857 0.466 0.33
0.83kg 8.18 3.44 2.67 0.42 0.326
• Fs = Highest Value

• Fk = Mean Value

• We find Fn using the formula, Fn=mg

• µs=Fs/Fn

• µk=Fs/Fk

GRAPH 1 GRAPH 2

EXPLANATION

GRAPH 1

We obtained the values of Fs (frictional force) and Fn (normal force) using an apparatus with a mass of 0.57kg,
resulting in the highest value of 2.624N and a mean value of 1.857N. Additionally, you calculated Fn using the formula
mg, which also yielded a value of 5.62N. To determine the coefficient of friction (µ), you divided the value of Fn and
Fs, and we got the value of 0.466 and 0.33N.

GRAPH 2

We obtained the values of Fs (frictional force) and Fn (normal force) using an apparatus with a mass of 0.825kg ,
resulting in the highest value of 3.44N and a mean value of 2.67 N. Additionally, you calculated Fn using the formula
mg, which also yielded a value of 8.18 N. To determine the coefficient of friction (µ), you divided the value of Fs by Fn
and got the values, 0.42 and 0.326N

Felt:

Mass Fn Fs Fk µs µk
 0.591kg 5.792 5.06 3.615 0.86 0.62
0.84kg 8.28 2.56 2.09 0.309 0.25

• Fs = Highest Value

• Fk = Mean Value

• We find Fn using the formula, Fn=mg

• µs=Fs/Fn

• µk=Fs/Fk

GRAPH 1 GRAPH 2

(graph between force and time using mass 0.591kg) (graph between force and time using mass 0.84kg)

EXPLANATION

GRAPH 1

We obtained the values of Fs (frictional force) and Fn (normal force) using an apparatus
with a mass of 0.591kg, resulting in the highest value of 5.06N and a mean value of
3.615N. Additionally, you calculated Fn using the formula mg, which also yielded a value of
5.792N. To determine the coefficient of friction (µ), you divided the value of Fn and Fs, and
we got the value of 0.86 and 0.62N

GRAPH 2
We obtained the values of Fs (frictional force) and Fn (normal force) using an apparatus
with a mass of 0.84Kg, resulting in the highest value of 2.56N and a mean value of 2.09 N .
Additionally, you calculated Fn using the formula mg, which also yielded a value of 8.28N.
To determine the coefficient of friction (µ), you divided the value of Fs by Fn and got the
values, 0.309 and 0.25.

ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION:

In the experiment, it was observed that static friction exceeded kinetic friction, as indicated
by the force graph. The force required to initiate tray motion was highest due to maximum
static friction, while the mean force represented kinetic friction. The force initially peaks
and gradually stabilizes, indicating a decreasing trend.

Furthermore, smooth surfaces exhibited lower friction coefficients compared to rough

ones. It was also evident that weight played a role in friction; heavier objects resulted in
greater friction because they increased surface contact and rubbing. In summary, weight
and friction had a direct relationship, static friction consistently surpassed kinetic friction,
and smooth surfaces exhibited lower friction coefficients than rough surfaces .