Experiment #4: Friction on an Inclined Plane

Faculty of Engineering and Computing: School of Engineering

Engineering Mechanics Lab 1 (MEE2018)
Due Date: October 28, 2024
 Table of Contents

Introduction / Theory ………………………………………………………………………………

Apparatus…………………………………………………………………………………………...
Procedure…………………………………………………………………………………………...
Results ……………………………………………………………………………………………..
Equations Used……………………………………………………………………………..
Table of Load (W) and Effort (P) values.………………………………………………….
Graph of 0°…………………………………………………………………………………
Graph of 10°………………………………………………………………………………..
Graph of 15°………………………………………………………………………………..
Graph of 20°………………………………………………………………………………..
Discussion………………………………………………………………………………………….
Sources of Error ……………………………………………………………………………………
Appendix B
Raw Data Sheet…………………………………………………………………………….
Appendix C
Sample Calculations………………………………………………………………………...

List of Tables

Table 1.0
Showing Table of Load (W) and Effort (P) values ………………………………………

Introduction
The objectives of the Friction on an Inclined Plane Laboratory were to determine the value of the

coefficient of friction between a slider and a plane and compare the force necessary to move a

body up an inclined plane with the theoretical value calculated using the value of the coefficient

of friction found. Friction is the resistive force which acts on a body and prevents slipping of the

body relative to another body or surface which it is in contact with. Friction affects the

movement of objects, the efficiency of machines and the safety of vehicles on the roads. There

are two main types of friction; Static friction which acts on a body at rest and Kinetic friction

which acts on a moving body. The magnitude of these forces depends on the surfaces of the body

and the plane it is in contact with and the normal force acting on them. On an inclined plane, the

gravitational forces act parallel to plane, which tries to pull the object downward, and

perpendicular to plane, which contributes to the normal force. The frictional force is calculated

using the coefficient of friction (µ) and the normal force (N). The theoretical effort (Pi) was

calculated using the equation:

P=W (sinθ+ μcosθ )

The equation highlights the relationship between the angle of inclination, the object's weight, and

the frictional force, which then allows for the calculation of the effort needed to maintain motion

up the incline.

Apparatus
 Friction Plane with pulley

 Wooden slider

 Digital Protractor

Least count – 0.01°

Model – Triplett Test Equipment and Tools Pro. 3600

 Electric balance

 Weights

 Weight hanger

 Cord

Weight of the slider = 147.62g

Weight of load hanger = 0.05 lb

Procedure

1. The slider was weighed on the electric balance.

2. The slider was placed on the horizontal plane and its starting position was noted.

3. Weights were placed on the slider and the load hanger until the slider moved

slightly.

4. Another weight was added to the slider and step three was repeated.

5. Four sets of readings were taken.

6. A graph of effort (P) against load (W) was plotted.

7. The gradient of the graph was calculated, and this was the value for friction (μ).

8. Steps 3-4 were then repeated for values of load (W) and effort (P) with the plane

inclined at 10°, 15°, and 20° respectively.

9. Three sets of readings were taken for each angle.

10. The value for friction was then used to calculate the ideal effort at each angle

using the formula:

P=W (sinθ+ μcosθ )

11. The normal force (N) was then calculated.

Results
Equations Used

y 2− y 1
 Gradient=
x 2−x 1

 P=W (sinθ+ μcosθ )

 N=mgcosθ

Table 1.0 showing Table of Load (W) and Effort (P) values.

Angle of Actual Load, Actual Effort, Ideal Effort, Normal, N

Inclination, θ W (N) P (N) Pi (N) (N)

(°)

2.448 0.47 0.496 2.448

2.948 0.72 0.598 2.948

0° 3.448 0.82 0.7 3.448

3.948 0.87 0.801 3.948

2.448 0.97 0.916 2.411

10° 2.948 1.22 1.103 2.903

3.448 1.47 1.290 3.396

2.448 1.27 1.114 2.365

15° 2.948 1.47 1.341 2.848

3.448 1.77 1.569 3.331

2.448 1.47 1.305 2.300

20° 2.948 1.72 1.571 2.770

4.448 2.72 2.371 4.180

 Discussion

The graph of effort (P) against load (W) shows the relationship between the angle and the

frictional force of the slider on the plane. Analyzing the graph, the effort required to lift the load

increases proportionally with the weight of the load. This is observed from the directly

proportional straight line of the graph. This demonstrates the theory that as more weight is

added, more force is required to counteract the gravitational pull. Additionally, the slope of graph

can reveal the efficiency of inclined planes. Steeper slopes require more effort due to the

frictional forces being greater while a flatter slope suggests a more efficient system because less

effort is required to move the load, which is ideal for practical applications. When comparing the

theoretical effort (P) values with the experimental values obtained during the lab, differences

were observed. This is because the theoretical values of effort (P) were based on ideal conditions

while the experimental values showed variations due to sources of error. On average, the

experimental values were slightly higher than the theoretical values. The effort (P) values

recorded on different inclined planes demonstrated a clear correlation between the angle of

inclination and the surface material. Smoother surfaces produce lower P values while rougher

surfaces produce higher P values. As the angle of inclination increased so did the effort (P)

values which demonstrated that gravitational and frictional forces increase at steeper angles. The

dynamics of friction on an inclined plane have numerous practical applications. These include

ramps, escalators and road designs to ensure safety and efficiency. It also aids in allowing

athletes to understand how friction affects their performance on inclines such as ski slopes and

cycling tracks.
 Sources of Error

 While completing the experiment, the slider kept hitting against the slides of the plane.

This was due to the plane not being leveled. This may have introduced additional

frictional forces on the slider from the sides of the plane which could have impacted the

relationship between effort and load. To minimize this error, ensure the inclined is

levelled as to not cause the additional shifting of the slider.

 Although the experimenters continuously tapped the plane, there may have been

additional forces added to the effort at times when the load didn’t move and instead it

stuck to the plane. This may have resulted in an overshot of values and could have also

affect the effort and load relationship. To minimize this error, add weights at small

intervals to reduce the overshooting of values.

 Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity or airflow could have influenced

friction and measurements, which may have led to varying results. To minimize this error,

ensure this experiment is done in a climate-controlled room.

 Appendix C- Sample Calculations

Gradient / Friction value

y 2− y 1
Gradient=
x 2−x 1

0.72−0.12
Gradient=
3.5−0.55

0.6
Gradient=
2.95

Gradient (μ)=0.203

Ideal Effort (Pi)

P=W (sinθ+ μcosθ )

P=2.448 (sin 0+0.203 cos 0)

P=2.448 × 0.203

P=0.496

P=2.948 (sin 0+0.203 cos 0)

P=2.948 × 0.203

P=0.598
P=3.448 (sin 0+0.203 cos 0)

P=3.448 × 0.203

P=0.7

P=3.948 (sin 0+0.203 cos 0)

P=3.948 × 0.203

P=0.801

P=2.448 (sin 10+0.203 cos 10)

P=2.448 × 0.374

P=0.916

P=2.948 (sin 10+0.203 cos 10)

P=2.948 × 0.374

P=1.103

P=3.448 (sin 10+0.203 cos 10)

P=3.448 × 0.374

P=1.290

P=2.448 (sin 15+0.203 cos 15)

P=2.448 × 0.455

P=1.114

P=2.948 (sin 15+0.203 cos 15)

P=2.948 × 0.455

P=1.341

P=3.448 (sin 15+0.203 cos 15)

P=3.448 × 0.455

P=1.569

P=2.448 (sin 20+0.203 cos 20)

P=2.448 × 0.533

P=1.305
P=2.948 (sin 20+0.203 cos 20)

P=2.948 × 0.533

P=1.571

P=4.448(sin 20+ 0.203 cos 20)

P=4.448 ×0.533

P=2.371

Normal (N)

N=mgcosθ

N=2.448 cos 0

N=2.448

N=2.948 cos 0

N=2.948
N=3.448 cos 0

N=3.448

N=3.948 cos 0

N=3.948

N=2.448 cos 10

N=2.411

N=2.948 cos 10

N=2.903

N=3.448 cos 10

N=3.396

N=2.448 cos 15

N=2.365
N=2.948 cos 15

N=2.848

N=3.448 cos 15

N=3.331

N=2.448 cos 20

N=2.300

N=2.948 cos 20

N=2.770

N=4.448 cos 20

N=4.180