Andrew Peters

Mason Buchholz

Karrissa Cavanaugh

Measuring Friction: A Study in Sliding

Purpose

The purpose of this lab was to measure friction, and determine how changing the force applied

affects static friction, and how changing the surfaces affect static friction. The second part was

used to measure kinetic friction, and determine the kinetic friction coefficient of wood sliding on

wood. The third part was used to determine the difference between static friction and sliding

friction at an angle.

Hypothesis

We predicted that the more force applied, the lower the static friction coefficient. In our test, this

would show the higher the mass of the cup, the lower the static friction coefficient.

Procedure

For part one, we followed the instructions explained under Part 1: Coefficient of static friction

handout. We repeated this procedure using sandpaper sliding on wood, and wood sliding on

wood, and filled out the data tables according to the results. For part two, we followed the

instructions explained under Part 2: Coefficient of kinetic friction , performing this experiment

with sandpaper on wood and wood on wood. We then completed step 7 and 8 of Going further:

friction on an incline. Using our data, we calculated various pieces of data. When this was

competed, Andrew wrote the lab report.

Calculations

For the sample calculations, the answers are bold. For part one, we measured the mass of cup

and mass of block. In order to find the static friction coefficient, we determined that the static

friction coefficient would be equal to the mass of the cup divided by mass of the block, because

the block was the force of friction, and the block was the force overcoming friction. We did not

need to include gravity, because each mass was affected by the same force of gravity, because

the experiment was performed at the same height on Earth.

Sample calculation

0.109 kg/0.0541 kg=0.496

In part two, we measured the constants of height, mass of cup and block, and mass of system.

These were all constants. We then measured the time to drop. By using the formula

height=(acceleration)(time^2), we determined the acceleration.

Sample Calculation

0.634 m=(0.317 m/s^2)(2s^2)

We then found the net force by using the formula F(net)=M(system)a. The mass was the total

mass.

Sample calculation

0.051 N=(0.161 kg)(0.317 m/s^2)

We used the net force and the formula F(net)=m(cup)g-F(friction) to find the force of friction.
Sample calculation

0.051 N=(0.0532 kg)(9.8 m/s^2) - 0.470 N

We then used this force of kinetic friction to calculate the kinetic friction coefficient using the

formula kinetic friction coefficient=F(friction)/[m(block)*(g)]

Sample calculation

0.440= (0.470 N)/[(0.109 kg)(9.8 m/s^2)]

Data:

Static Friction: wood on wood

Mass of cup (kg) Mass of block (kg) Static friction coefficient

0.0541 0.109 .496

0.0941 0.209 .450

0.119 0.309 .385

Average: .444

Static Friction: sandpaper on wood

Mass of cup (kg) Mass of block (kg) Static friction coefficient

0.0817 0.109 0.750

0.156 0.209 0.746

0.218 0.309 0.706

Kinetic Friction: wood on wood

Experimental Constants

Height (m) Mass of cup (kg) Mass of block (kg) Mass of system(kg)

0.634 0.0532 0.109 0.161

Coefficient of Kinetic Friction

Time to drop (s) Acceleration Net force (N) Kinetic friction Kinetic friction
(m/s^2) (N) coefficient

2.0 0.317 0.051 0.470 0.440

2.3 0.240 0.039 0.482 0.451

2.2 0.262 0.042 0.479 0.448

2.5 0.203 0.033 0.488 0.457

2.6 0.188 0.030 0.491 0.460

Average:

0.451

Kinetic Friction: sandpaper on wood

Experimental Constants

Height (m) Mass of cup (kg) Mass of block (kg) Mass of system(kg)

0.740 0.0700 0.0970 0.167

Coefficient of Kinetic Friction

Time to drop (s) Acceleration Net force (N) Kinetic friction Kinetic friction
(m/s^2) (N) coefficient

2.1 0.288 0.048 0.638 0.671

2.4 0.220 0.037 0.649 0.683

2.0 0.317 0.053 0.633 0.666

 2.3 0.240 0.040 0.649 0.683

2.1 0.288 0.048 0.638 0.671

Static Friction on an incline

Static friction coefficient: 0.741

Sliding friction coefficient: 0.586

Difference: 0.115

Conclusion

The hypothesis appears to be correct, as when the mass of the cup increases, the static friction

coefficient decreases. However, understanding the laws of friction, this is likely due to an error,

as the static friction coefficient is supposed to be more or less even in an ideal scenario.

Sandpaper on wood universally has a higher friction coefficient than wood on wood due to

sandpaper having more friction.

According to our data, a surprising result is static friction is about equally strong as kinetic

friction, although static friction is supposedly stronger. Static friction is much stronger than

kinetic friction in our third lab where the wood quality was equal, so our second experiments

data is likely compromised. This may be a result of the water warping our wood, as we spilled

the water glass no less than three times while performing our experiment during the kinetic

friction preparation. Some other possible mistakes include limited measuring accuracy, and

inconsistent friction in the board(including a small knot in the starting location that would

increase apparent static friction). One thing our group doubtlessly learned during this project is

that when you drop a glass of water, it tends to spill. Understanding the experiment, a highlight
than would be static friction may or may not be stronger than kinetic friction, and sandpaper has

more friction than wood.