Sei sulla pagina 1di 6

1.

OBJECTIVES
This experiment enables the students to determine the static coefficient of friction ( s)
between two surfaces.
2. INTRODUCTION
Friction is the force that resists the relative motion of one surface in contact with
another. There are two type of friction: statics and kinetic. In this experiment, we are
only interested with the static frictional force, the force required to start the object
moving. The static frictional force is given by
Fs=s N
Where s is the static coefficient of friction and N is the normal force (reaction force).
3. SAFETY MEASURE
Before entering the laboratory, all students pay attention to this laboratory safety
guide.
Wear a proper attire (shirt, trousers/long pants, shoes, vest, helmet)
No food or drink is permitted in the laboratory

Know the location of emergency exits, eyewash stations, safety showers, fire
extinguishers, and first aid kits and how to use them.

Read and follow the instructions in the laboratory manual and those given by the
lecturer.

Read and follow the operating procedures in the use of laboratory equipment.

4. EQUIPMENTS/APPARATUS
Inclined Plane Apparatus (LS-12006)
Specimen (aluminum, steel, brass and wood)
Cords
Pulleys
Masses

Figure 1, Inclined Plane (LS-12006). Retrieved from: http://lotus.com.my/popout_12006.html

5. PROCEDURES
The specimen was laid on the plane on its center.
Then the force (F) was applied by mean of a string running over a pulley to a
weight hanger. Weights were added to the hanger until the specimen began to

move. This way determined the approximate value of starting friction.


With weight on the block before, the block can be pushed to overcome starting
friction. The weights were added until the specimen started to move with constant
velocity. There were a lot of uncertainties to determine whether the velocity

constant or not.
Investigate starting friction at different plane angles (inclined plane). Angles of 15
and 25 were used in this experiment. At each angle, the values of W were

investigated. Different angle gave different value of W.


The same procedures were repeated with another type of specimen. The data were
taken and noted to the experiment notes/manual. Then the observation of the result
was applied.

6. DATA

Angle of response: 15
2

Trial
1
2
3
Average
s

Aluminum
W(g)
F(g)
105
80
105
90
105
70
105
80

Steel
W(g)
286
286
286
286

F(g)
150
140
160
150

Brass
R(g)
310
310
310
310

F(g)
280
290
300
290

Brass
W(g)
310
310
310
310

F(g)
160
150
140
150

Wood
R(g)
111
111
111
111

F(g)
100
110
90
100

F(g)
270
260
280
270

Wood
W(g)
111
111
111
111

F(g)
130
140
150
140

Angle of response: 25
Trial
1
2
3
Average
s

Aluminum
W(g)
F(g)
105
120
105
110
105
130
105
120

Steel
W(g)
286
286
286
286

7. DISCUSSION
The data was calculated and changed from gram (mass) to force (newton).
FW=m103 g formula was applied to change the data to force (newton).

Figure 2, Free Body Diagram

All the forces had been shown in the free body diagram. Total forces can be
determined after the body diagram done. Submission of all forces should be equals to
zero. It is because the specimen will be moved with constant velocity. With

F=0
F=0

s can be calculated.

FW sin Fs=0
FW sin =Fs
3

FW sin =s N
FW sin
=s
N
s=

FW sin
W cos

Angle of response: 15
Trial
1
2
3
Average
s

Aluminum
W(N)
F(N)
1.03
0.78
1.03
0.88
1.03
0.69
1.03
0.78
0.52

Steel
W(N)
2.81
2.81
2.81
2.81
0.27

F(N)
1.47
1.37
1.57
1.47

Brass
W(N)
3.04
3.04
3.04
3.04
0.23

F(N)
1.57
1.47
1.37
1.47

Wood
W(N)
1.09
1.09
1.09
1.09
0.66

F(N)
0.98
1.08
0.88
0.98

Steel
W(N)
2.81
2.81
2.81
2.81
0.65

F(N)
2.75
2.84
2.94
2.84

Brass
W(N)
3.04
3.04
3.04
3.04
0.49

F(N)
2.65
2.55
2.75
2.65

Wood
W(N)
1.09
1.09
1.09
1.09
0.92

F(N)
1.28
1.37
1.47
1.37

Angle of response: 25
Trial
1
2
3
Average
s

Aluminum
W(N)
F(N)
1.03
1.18
1.03
1.08
1.03
1.28
1.03
1.18
0.79

a. Determine the relation between the static coefficient of friction (s) and the angle of
inclination ( ). Explain it in detail with example of application.
Based on the data which is collected during experiment, it is founded that when the
angle of inclination increase, the static friction will also increase. It is differed with
the theory. The theory predicts that each coefficient of friction should be constant.
Based on the theory, coefficient friction on angle 15 and 25

should be the

same. It is because when the angle of response increases, the Force (F) will increase
too. After the calculation, the coefficient should be the same.
Refer back to the theory, the coefficient should be constant. Angle of inclination
will only affect the magnitude normal force (N) which will affect the magnitude of
static friction force (s), (refer back to the body diagram).

The coefficient of static friction should be constant. The collected data is different
with the theory. The coefficient increase when the angles increase. It shouldnt be
like this. However, errors cause the deviation of whole calculation. Thats why the
coefficient between both angles is different.
b. Compare the static coefficient of friction (s) of different surfaces
The data showed us four different specimens. Coefficient of each specimen also
different. All of the coefficients are less than 1. The greater the coefficient, the more
difficult the object moved. Both tables shown that wood is the stickiest object and
the brass is the most slippery object to the surface.
The different coefficient between both angles based on the calculation was caused by
the error. A lot of factors can affect the data collection process. The errors can be
happened, when the weights were added to the pulleys to find the constant velocity. It
should be taken care carefully to get the precise weight/force.
The errors also can be caused by inconsistency of the surface. The surface might be
affected because of our hand. If we touch the surface of instrument with our sweaty
hand, the surface will be different and gives us a different coefficient also. It will give
us the coefficient of static friction between wet surface and the specimen. If this kind
of thing happened, it will give us error.

8. CONCLUSION
The object of this experiment had been achieved which is to determine the static
friction between two surfaces. In this experiment, we can use formula
s=

FW sin
W cos

to find the coefficient of static friction. Static friction should be a

constant number. Every specimen has its own coefficient of static friction. The greater
the coefficient, the more difficult the object moved.

Based on this experiment, the coefficient of static friction is not constant. The greater
the angle, the greater the coefficient. It is not related to the theories; it is deviated
from the theory. However it should be caused by some errors when doing the
experiment. The less precise of mass selection before the object start to move with
constant velocity is one of the error.

References
Jim. (2011). Question. Retrieved February 19, 2014, from Yahoo Answers:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101204085308AAJ9djZ
Simanek, D. E. (2004). M-2 FRICTION AND THE INCLINED PLANE. Retrieved February
19, 2014, from Lock Haven University:
http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/scenario/labman1/incplane.htm

Potrebbero piacerti anche