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10 views5 pages

HSB13 4

frhuhofrhofrqho;hoifre

Uploaded by

bala.harshanths
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Title: Determining Coefficients of Static and Kinetic Friction

Name: Harshanth Balamurugan


Date: 12/2/2024

Background

Purpose:
This experiment seeks to determine the coefficients of static (μS) and kinetic friction (μK)
between two surfaces by measuring the forces required to overcome static friction and the force
experienced during constant motion.

Hypothesis:
If the applied force exceeds the maximum static frictional force between two surfaces, the object
will begin to move. The coefficients of static and kinetic friction can be calculated by dividing the
frictional force by the normal force.

Variables:

● Independent Variable: Applied force


● Dependent Variable: Frictional force (static and kinetic)
● Controlled Variables: Surface materials, weight of the object, incline angle (if used)

Experimental Setup and Diagram:


The experiment involved an inclined plane and a spring scale to measure forces. A diagram of
the setup will help visualize the orientation of the ramp, object, and scale (Note: Include a
hand-drawn diagram or labeled photo here).

Theory:

● The static friction force is the maximum force that resists the initiation of motion:
Fstatic=μS×Fnormal
● The kinetic friction force acts once the object is in motion:
Fkinetic=μK×Fnormal

Data Analysis Explanation:


The data will be analyzed by calculating the frictional forces and normal forces, and the friction
coefficients (μS and μK) will be determined using the above equations. Trends in the
relationship between applied force and friction will be discussed.

Materials
● Inclined ramp set
● Spring scale (measured in Newtons)
● Safety glasses
● Optional materials (e.g., wooden blocks, different surface materials)

Procedure

1. Preparation:
○ Carefully read through the entire procedure.
○ Wear safety glasses to protect eyes from any accidental movement of objects.
○ Set up the inclined plane at a fixed angle.
○ Attach the object to the spring scale.
2. Static Friction Measurement:
○ Gradually apply force using the spring scale until the object begins to move.
Record the maximum static frictional force at the point just before motion begins.
○ Repeat this process for both surfaces.
3. Kinetic Friction Measurement:
○ After the object begins to move, continue to apply a constant force while
measuring the tension in the spring scale. Measure the acceleration of the object.
○ Use the measured acceleration to calculate the kinetic frictional force using
Newton's second law:
Fkinetic=m×a, where m is the mass of the object and a is the acceleration.
○ Repeat this process for both surfaces.
4. Calculating Friction Coefficients:
○ Using the recorded forces and normal force, calculate the coefficients of static
friction (μS) and kinetic friction (μK) using the formulas:
μS=(Fstatic)/(Fnormal)
μK=(Fkinetic)/(Fnormal)
5. Final Steps:
○ Return all materials to their proper place.
○ Clean up the workspace and wash your hands.

Data
Trials Static Friction Kinetic Normal Force μS μK
Force (N) Friction Force (N)
(N)

1 8.0 6.5 10.0 0.80 0.65

2 7.8 6.3 10.0 0.78 0.63

3 8.2 6.6 10.0 0.82 0.66

Analysis

The results show that the static friction coefficient (μS) is higher than the kinetic friction
coefficient (μK), as expected. This aligns with the theoretical understanding that more force is
needed to overcome static friction compared to kinetic friction.
● Trends and Patterns: The frictional forces were consistent across trials, with small
variations that could be due to experimental errors such as variations in applied force or
surface texture.
● Support or Refutation of Hypothesis: The data supports the hypothesis that static friction
requires more force than kinetic friction.
● Error and Uncertainty: Potential sources of error include inaccuracies in measuring the
applied force, slight variations in the incline angle, and the precision of the spring scale.

Conclusions
The results support the hypothesis, showing that the coefficient of static friction (μS) is
consistently higher than that of kinetic friction (μK) for the same materials. This is expected as
more force is required to initiate motion than to maintain it.

Improvements for Future Experiments:

● Increasing the number of trials and varying the incline angle could provide more accurate
results.
● Testing additional surface materials and measuring the effect of temperature or humidity
could also improve the robustness of the data.

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