Coefficient of friction

Problem Question:
What is the coefficient of static friction of sandpaper?

Background:
Friction occurs in everyday life especially when we walk whereas there is friction applied
between the contact of our shoes and the surface. Friction is a force that holds back the
object to move which between two surfaces of object contact with each other. There are two
types of coefficients which are static friction and kinetic friction. Static friction is a force that
keeps an object at stationary or at rest. Once the object is in motion, it will experience kinetic
friction.

In this experiment, I want to find out about the coefficient of static friction of sandpaper. I will
experiment with it by using a different mass of the load on the inclined plane and calculate
the angle to find the coefficient of friction.

Hypothesis: Commented [1]: there is no hypothesis in this

The heavier the object the smaller the angle as well as small in a coefficient of friction and experiment.
vice versa. This is because a heavier object has more force pushing downward which is Commented [2]: no hypothesis? bnrn? knp?
easily sliding down. This will give a small coefficient.

Variables Description: Commented [3]: variables should be described in

An experiment has 3 kinds of variables: independent, dependent, and controlled variables. paragraph. table is only for guidance before doing
experiment
The independent variable is the variable that is changed as this is applied to the mass of the
object using the electronic balance in grams. The dependant is the variable that responds to Commented [4]: each paragraph for each variable or
as a whole ms?
the changes made to the independent variables. This applies to the length and height of the
slope to find the angle of the slope using a rule in centimeters. As well as the angle of the
slope to find the coefficient of friction of the slope in degrees. The controlled variable is the
variable that needs to remain constant. This applied to the length of the board, the surface of
the board using the sandpaper and the position of the weight placed on the tip of the board.

Materials:
- Holder
- Board with sandpaper attached
- Loads (10g, 20g, 20g, 50g)
- Ruler

Procedures:
1. Prepare the table for data
2. Prepare the materials needed for the experiment
3. Put the board on top of the holder
4. Put 10g of load on the tip of the board
5. Hold the holder while slowly pushing the board till the loads start to fall
6. Measure the length to 10cm and find the height of the slope
7. Calculate and find the angle by using arctan and divide the length with height
𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
(𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛( ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 ) )
 8. Repeat step 4-7 by replacing the load with a different mass of loads
9. Record everything and make a graph

Safety assessment
- I will use safety goggles, laboratory coat, and disposable gloves
- I will be careful when using the equipment
- I will report any accident to the teacher
- I will show my investigation plan to the teacher and ask permission before doing my
experiment
- I will tidy up my equipment after finishing my experiment

Diagram

Recording raw data:

Trials
Weight (g)
t1 t2 t3

Length Height Length Height Length Height

(cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm)

10 10 7.5 10 10.5 10 9.5

20 10 8.5 10 11.5 10 7.5

30 10 7.5 10 7 10 8

40 10 5.5 10 9.5 10 10

50 10 8 10 7.5 10 8

Processing raw data:

 Trials
Weig Avera
ht (g) ge
t1 t2 t3

Lengt Heigh Angle Lengt Heigh Angle Lengt Heigh Angle

h t (cm) h t (cm) h t (cm)
(cm) (cm) (cm)

10 10 7.5 36.9 10 10.5 46.4 10 9.5 43.5 42.3

20 10 8.5 40.4 10 11.5 49.0 10 7.5 36.9 42.1

30 10 7.5 36.9 10 7 35.0 10 8 38.7 36.9

40 10 5.5 28.8 10 9.5 43.5 10 10 45 39.1

50 10 8 38.7 10 7.5 36.9 10 8 38.7 38.1

Average: (t1(angle) + t2(angle) + t3(angle))/3

𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
Angle: 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛( ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 )

Weight (g) Angle Average Coefficient

Angle
t1 t2 t3

10 36.9 46.4 43.5 42.3 0.9099

20 40.4 49.0 36.9 42.1 0.9036

30 36.9 35.0 38.7 36.9 0.7508

40 28.8 43.5 45 39.1 0.8127

50 38.7 36.9 38.7 38.1 0.7841

𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
Angle: 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛( )
ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
Average: (t1(𝜃) + t2(𝜃) + t3(𝜃))/3
Coefficient: tan𝜃

Graph
Conclusion
The coefficient of the static friction in the sandpaper is around 0.935. This result tells that
there is a weak correlation between the mass and the coefficient of friction. As the heavier
the object the smaller the coefficient of friction. The mass of the object does not only affect
the coefficient of th The result is not reliable due to the uneven friction surface on the
sandpaper which some parts of the sandpaper have different roughness. However, the
hypothesis and the result are the same.

Evaluation
In the investigation, there are weaknesses in the design and the method. The method was reliable
and valid because it minimizes experimental error as there are three trials to find the base and the
height of each mass and shows the measurement and the quantity of for the experiment. However,
it needs to be done more than three trials and do a wider range of mass of the object to improve
and get more precise of the coefficient of friction. The design was reliable because the result was
the same as the hypothesis.