Coefficient of Static and Kinetic Friction Lab

Background:

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-physics-1/ap-forces-newtons-laws/friction-
ap/v/intuition-on-static-and-kinetic-friction-comparisons

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-physics-1/ap-forces-newtons-laws/friction-ap/v/static-
and-kinetic-friction-example

Procedure: General
You will go to the following website: The PhysicsAviary interactive experiment and carry out a
virtual lab. Use this link to get to the interactive experiment.
http://www.thephysicsaviary.com/Physics/Programs/Labs/ForceFriction/index.html

This is what you will see to start.

You will be able to adjust the types of surfaces by

clicking on “Types of Surfaces”.

You will be able to adjust the mass of the sliding

object by clicking the up and down arrows.

Once you have selected the correct type of surface

and also adjusted the mass, press Start. You will need to press reset after you gather your data to
set up for another measurement.

When you run the experiment, a graph will show up below the window already described.
When you first press start, no motion occurs, however the Force reading in the red box is
increasing as the string is being pulled. The graph shows the increasing force by the sensor as
well. When the block begins to move, instead of increasing now, the force remains relatively
constant. The two Khan academy background videos explains the theory.

How do you gather your data?

You will need to create an Excel table like this one:

Type of Materials: Wood Block on Lab Table

Mass (g) Normal Force (N) Max Force before Block moves (N) Average force of Moving Block (N)
=mass of object(kg)*9.8m/s 2)
100 0.98 0.805 0.54
258 2.5284 2.1 1.4
452 4.4296 3.6 2.45
517 5.0666 4.2 2.8
607 5.9486 4.9 3.3
727 7.1246 5.7 3.9

For a particular material, you will make 6 data runs, each one with a different mass. You will
record the mass you select for the material in the table, and then run the virtual lab. The lab
produces the following graph of the data. You need two pieces of data off each data run graph.

1) The maximum force that the sensor experiences, which is circled in blue (about 1.11 N),
which is the maximum frictional force that the block experiences before it moves. Place this in
your Table

2) The average force on the block while it is moving which I have estimated below with the
green line, (about 0.83 N)
Lab Procedure Specifics:

1) You will carry out the experiment for three (3) types of surfaces
a. Wood Block on Lab Table. I have done this already and have provided what my
data looks like along with my analysis at the end of this document. I did
everything in Excel. I want you do this experiment with the same masses. If you
get about what I did for data, then you know that you are doing things correctly.
Obviously you won’t necessary get the same numbers that I provided, because we
are estimating from the graphs the data. If you want, you can print each data run,
and use a ruler and pencil to estimate. the average values, etc. My Excel graphs
along with determined Coefficient of Static and Kinetic frictions are also
provided. You should have this for each of your Surface types.
b. Rubber on Ice
c. Your choice: Glass on Glass, Graphite on Graphite or Aluminum on Steel

2) For each Surface Type, take 6 measurements with different masses. Create separate
tables for each Surface Type like the one above.
3) To find the Coefficient of Static Friction plot in Excel the Max Force(N) versus the
Normal Force (N) found by converting the mass to kilograms and multiplying by 9.8
m/s2. Fit the resulting line with a linear fit. (intercept =0, select that you want the
equation and R2). The slope is the coefficient of Static Friction since Fs max = µs

N where N is the normal force (in this case the weight of the Block).

4) To find the Coefficient of Kinetic Friction plot in Excel the Average Force( N) versus the
Normal Force (N) found by converting the mass to kilograms and multiplying by 9.8
m/s2. Fit the resulting line with a linear fit. (intercept =0, select that you want the
equation and R2). The slope is the coefficient of Kinetic Friction since Fk = µk N
where N is the normal force (in this case the weight of the Block).

5) In a summary table, show all three surface types, known values for both coefficients of
static and kinetic friction, and the measured coefficients of static and kinetic friction that
your found. Calculate a percent difference. You may need to use an average value for the
known. https://www.engineersedge.com/coeffients_of_friction.htm

6) Lab Report:

a) An explanation of what Static and Kinetic Friction is.

b) For each Surface type, data table and graphs for Static and Kinetic Friction with
linear fits and equations/R2 on them. (see next page)
c) Summary Table of results and actual values. Calculate a percent difference.
d) Conclusion paragraph summary
Type of Materials: Wood Block on Lab Table

Mass (g) Normal Force (N) Max Force before Block moves (N) Average force of Moving Block (N)
2
=mass of object(kg)*9.8m/s )
100 0.98 0.805 0.54
258 2.5284 2.1 1.4
452 4.4296 3.6 2.45
517 5.0666 4.2 2.8
607 5.9486 4.9 3.3
727 7.1246 5.7 3.9

Determination of Coefficient of Static Friction Plot Max Force before Block Moves vs Normal Force

Determination of Coefficient of Static Friction

7

6 y = 0.8148x
R² = 0.9987
5
Max Force (N)

3 Series1

2 Linear (Series1)

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Normal Force (N)

Coefficient of Static Friction 0.8148

Determination of Coefficient of Kinetic Friction: Plot Average Force of Moving Block vs Normal Force

Determination of Coefficient of Kinetic Friction

4.5
4 y = 0.5514x
R² = 0.9998
3.5
Average Force (N)

3
2.5
2 Wood Block on Table
1.5 Linear (Wood Block on Table)
1
0.5
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Normal Force (N)

Coeffi cient of Kinetic Friction 0.5514