Lab 04

Experiment # 03
Objective:
To determine the coefficient of friction between Brass & Nylon blocks and a steel plane.

Apparatus:
1. Pulley
2. Hanger
3. Blocks of different materials (Brass & Nylon)
4. Weights
5. Pointer
6. Protector
7. Sliding Plane (Stainless Steel)

Diagram:

Sliding
Block

Sliding Plane

Theory:
Friction:

It is the resistive force which impedes the motion when one tries to slide a body.Friction
force depends upon different factors:
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1-Nature of forces

2-Surface nature

3-Applied forces

Cause:

Interlocking between two surfaces is the cause of friction. Irregulatory in surfaces is main
cause of friction.Friction depends upon surface nature.

Classification of friction:

1-Dry friction

2-Fluid friction

Dry friction:

Dry friction is a force that opposes the relative lateral motion of two solid surfaces in contact.
Dry friction is subdivided into static friction ("stiction") between nonmoving surfaces, and
kinetic friction between moving surfaces. With the exception of atomic or molecular friction,
dry friction generally arises from the interaction of surface features, known as asperitieases.

Fluid friction:

It depends upon viscosity.There is two types of fluid friction.Fluid friction describes the
friction between layers of a viscous fluid that are moving relative to each other .

Kinetic friction has two types:

1-Sliding friction

2- Rolling friction

Coefficient of friction:

The coefficient of friction (COF), often symbolized by the Greek letter µ, is a dimensionless
scalar value which describes the ratio of the force of friction between two bodies and the
force pressing them together. The coefficient of friction depends on the materials used; for
example, ice on steel has a low coefficient of friction, while rubber on pavement has a high
coefficient of friction. Coefficients of friction range from near zero to greater than one. It is
an axiom of the nature of friction between metal surfaces that it is greater between two
surfaces of the similar metals than between two surfaces of different metals.
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Procedure:
1. The surfaces used in this test must be cleaned for the experiment and kept free from dirt
when not in use.
2. The adjustable plane is to be positioned on a firm bench so that the load on the hanger
passes the edge of the bench as it descends.
3. Clamp the plane in the 0o position and use a spirit level to ensure the whole apparatus is
level.
4. Weigh all the trays, load hanger and record.
5. Place the sample tray on the horizontal stainless steel channel at the end remote from the
pulley.
6. Attach the towing cord and arrange it over the pulley with the load hanger suspended. Add
load to the hanger until the tray will continue to slide at roughly constant velocity after
being given a slight push to start it moving. Record this load in table.
7. You may find that you need to lightly tap the bench which the unit is on or the apparatus
itself to induce movement in the tray.
8. Also ensure that the hanger is not swaying before loading.

Observations:

A. For Brass Block

Weight of Block, WB = ____________; Weight of hanger, Wh = ____________

Sliding Normal Load on Sliding Force, F (N) Coefficient of

Sr.
Load Reaction Hanger (Load on Hanger + Friction
#
W(N) Force, RN (N) Hanger Load itself) 𝝁 = 𝑭/𝑹𝑵

B. For Nylon Block

Weight of Block, WB = ____________; Weight of hanger, Wh = ____________

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Sliding Normal Load on Sliding Force, F(N) Coefficient of

Sr.
Load Reaction Hanger (Load on Hanger + Friction
#
‘W’(N) Force, RN (N) Hanger Load itself) 𝝁 = 𝑭/𝑹𝑵

Comments:

Assignment Questions:

1. What is the actual theoretical coefficient of friction of Brass on Stainless Steel

surface?

2. What is the actual theoretical coefficient of friction of Nylon on Stainless Steel

surface?

3. What is the cause of friction?

4. Explain why sliding friction is less than static friction?