Friction on an Inclined Plane Name:______________________________

PURPOSE: To measure the coefficient of sliding friction of an object on an inclined plane.

PROCEDURE:
Go to https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/cheerpj/motion-series/latest/motion-series.html?simulation=ramp-forces-and-motion and
click on the tab at the top that says friction.

Trial 1: Move the box onto the inclined surface, adjust the angle of the board gradually until the
filing cabinet slides down the board at constant velocity. Record the maximum angle before the
box slides and the mass of the box in Data Table 1.

Trial 2: Double the mass of the box and repeat the same process. Record the maximum angle and
mass of the box again in Data Table 1.

Trial 3: Return the mass of the box to its original amount and increase the static friction coefficient.
Record the maximum angle and mass of the box again in Data Table 1.

Trial 4: Reset the static friction coefficient to its original amount and set the angle of the ramp to
10. Increase the applied force until the box begins to move UP the ramp. Record the angle and the
maximum applied force before the box begins sliding in Data Table 2.

Trial 5: Increase the angle to 20 and repeat the above (Trial 4) procedure.
Trial 6: Increase the angle to 30 and repeat the above procedure.
Trial 7: Increase the angle to 40 and repeat the above procedure.

DATA TABLE I DATA TABLE II

Mass of Applied
TRIAL  TRIAL 
object Force
() ()
(kg) (N)
1 4
2 5
3 6
7

Draw free-body diagrams for trial 1 and trial 4.

Trial 1 Trial 4
CALCULATIONS TABLE
TRIAL Fg FN F|| FA Ff μ
(N) (N) (N) (N) (N)
1 0
2 0
3 0
4
5
6
7

CALCULATIONS (Show your work for one example of each calculation.)

1. Calculate the weight of the wooden block from its mass (Fg = mg). Record this weight as Fg.

2. The normal force is equal to the perpendicular component of the weight because there is no
acceleration in that direction. Calculate the normal force, F N = mgcosθ.

3. Calculate the parallel component of the weight, F||, for each trial using the weight of the block and
the angle of incline. (F|| = mgsinθ)

4. Since velocity and acceleration were zero in all trials, ΣF = 0. Use this to determine the friction
force, Ff. (ΣF = F|| + FA + Ff = 0) (Hint: make sure all forces are described in the appropriate
directions: + for up and right, - for down and left.)

5. Why is friction directed up the ramp for the first three trials and down the ramp for the last four?

6. Calculate the coefficient of static friction, μ, for each trial using the normal force and friction force.
(μ = |Ff / FN|) Does this match the coefficient indicated on the simulator?

7. Calculate the coefficient of friction for trials 1-3 again using μ = tanθ. Does this give the same
answers as μ = |Ff / FN|?

8. Why does this work? Derive an equation for μ in terms of θ by combining the equations from
questions 2-6.

9. Calculate the coefficient of friction for trials 4-7 again using μ = tanθ. Why doesn’t μ = tanθ work
for trials 4-7?