Name:

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ID no: ............................... Class and Section: ...............................

Practical Course: Coefficient of Kinetic

Friction
I. Objectives
Determine the coefficient of kinetic friction.

Figure 1: Friction Force on inclined plane

II. Theory
The situation for a plate moving up on an inclined plane with a constant
velocity is illustrated in Figure 2. Since the plate is not accelerating, the
system is in equilibrium position and the the force up the plane T must be
equal in magnitude to the sum of the forces down (parallel to) the plane:
Equation 1: = ! + = ! + !
Where f is the force of friction and the coefficient of kinetic friction.
At the same time, the tension T must be equal to the weight of the second
mass: Equation 2: = !
Using equation 1 and 2, we can deduce:
! = ! + ! ! = ! + !
Equation 3: ! = ! + !

Dr. Hussein Sabbah

 Name:
'".III
. ...............................................................................................


$ * (ID
3no:
4 .( : % &' *
.............................. C%./0 1%
lass %
and %
Section: ;% % /
...............................
!! ! = ! !! !"#$% !!! !"#$% (1) : #% /1

!! ! = !! ! ! (2) : "$ + . 14 4 7

: (' &"Figure
&"2: 23&
Plate m
oving
< up aw=0
ithout
!" #"a$%
cceleration
0 ! ! $$

In order to let the plate

!= move
!! ! down
(4) with
& constant
! = speed, we+reduce
!! !"#$% (3) ! to
the mass
!!! !"#$%
!
! . The system is in equilibrium and we can write
!! = !! !"#$ + !!! !"#$ (5) : !" g !) ' - .'
Equation 4: !! = ! !
!"( 5) # '/ 3 5 '/ > ' m'2 m2 & &+,
If we subtract Equation 4 from Equation !! 3 we= obtain
!! !"#$the coefficient
!! of static friction
! ! !"#$ (6) :&"

:
! !!!
Equation 3 - (7)
Equation =4
! !
!!!!!!!
! : "# )-. ( 6!
! ! = 2! =
) ! !!
!
(5) !"%! )
!!! !"#$ !!! !"#$

!! !!!!
Finally: Equation 5: = .
!!! !"#$
Dr.$Hussein$Sabbah$ Page$1$
!

Dr. Hussein Sabbah

 Name:
. ...............................................................................................


ID no: ............................... Class and Section: ...............................

III. Procedure and report

1. Using a laboratory balance, determine the mass m1 of the plate.

The mass of the car m1= 306.5 g.

2. Arrange the inclined plane and the plate as shown in Figure 1, with an angle of
incline = 30. Make certain that the pulley is adjusted so that the string attached
at the car is parallel to the plane.
Add enough weights to the weight hanger so that the car moves up the incline
plane with a slow uniform speed when the car is given a slight tap.
Record the total suspended mass (m2) in the data table.

3. With the car near the top of the plane, remove enough weights from the weight
hanger so that the car rolls down the inclined plane with a slow uniform speed on
being given a slight tap. Use as close to the same speed as for the upward case is
possible. Record the total suspended mass (! ) in the data Table.
4. Compute the coefficient of static friction .

5. Adjust the angle of the inclined plane to = 20 and than 45 and repeat the
procedures 1 through 4. Record your measurement in data table.

Data Table:

Angle ! !!

30 175 125 0.0941

20 125 85 0.0694

45 245 185 0.138

Dr. Hussein Sabbah