Victoria Adeyemi and Ivie Owie

Nov 2, 2023

Mass of block = 100g -- 0.1kg

Mass of mass = 1kg
Total mass = 1.1kg

Friction Lab- investigation 4.2

Surface Fs max Fk

Wood 5N 4N

Melamine 3N 3N

Sandpaper 8N 7N
Analyze and evaluate

A) An impact on the coefficients of static and kinetic friction for a block of wood can be
caused by surface roughness. The coefficients of friction tend to rise on rougher
surfaces. The force required to start the block moving and get over the initial resistance
is represented by the coefficient of static friction. Rough surfaces have more contact
points due to their irregularities and roughness, which makes it more difficult to move the
block. A higher coefficient of static friction is the outcome. The force needed to keep the
block moving after it has started to move, on the other hand, is represented by the
coefficient of kinetic friction. For the identical surfaces, the coefficient of kinetic friction is
typically higher than the coefficient of static friction. This indicates that greater force is
required to get the block moving than to keep it moving once static friction is removed.
B) There are two main values that the coefficient of friction can have:
- The frictional force that prevents an object from moving when it is at rest is
known as the friction coefficient.
- The frictional force that prevents an item in motion from moving is known as the
kinetic (or dynamic) friction coefficient.
The experiment looks into how variations in the applied force—such as an object's
weight or the force exerted by a pulling or pushing mechanism—affect the frictional force
and, in turn, the coefficient of friction in both scenarios.

C) - When on wood the average (Fs max) and (Fk) of the block of wood and mass together
is Fs max = 5N, Fk = 4N
- When on Melamine the average (Fs max) and (Fk) of the block of wood and mass
together is Fs max = 3N, Fk = 3N
- When on sand paper the average (Fs max) and (Fk) of the block of wood and mass
together is Fs max = 8N, Fk = 7N
First, calculate the normal force (N):
Given:
Mass of the block (m) = 1.1 kg
Acceleration due to gravity (g) ≈ 9.81 m/s² (standard value)
FN= normal
FN = m * g
FN = 1.1 kg * 9.81 m/s² ≈
FN = 10.791 N

Surface: Wood
For static friction (Fs = 5 N):
Fs = μs * N
μs = Fs / N
μs = 5 N / 10.791 N
μs = 0.463

For kinetic friction (Fk = 4 N):

Fk = μk * FN
μk = Fk / FN
μk = 4 N / 10.791 N
μk = 0.371
- The coefficient of static friction (μs) is approximately 0.463, and the
coefficient of kinetic friction (μk) is approximately 0.371 for the wood
surface material.
- When the two coefficients are compared, it becomes clear that starting
the block in motion (static friction) is easier than maintaining it there
(kinetic friction). This is a widely observed phenomenon that aligns with
the theory that static friction is typically greater than kinetic friction on
the majority of surfaces.

Surface: Melamine
For static friction (Fs = 3N):
Fs = μs * N
μs = Fs / N
μs = 3 N / 10.791 N
μs = 0.270

For kinetic friction (Fk = 3 N):

Fk = μk * FN
μk = Fk / FN
μk = 3 N / 10.791 N
μk = 0.270
- For this particular surface material, the coefficient of static friction (μs)
and the coefficient of kinetic friction (μk) are approximately the same,
 both equal to about 0.273. This indicates that once the block of wood
overcomes the maximum static friction and starts moving (kinetic
friction), the frictional forces on this material are nearly constant. In
practice, this means that it takes the same amount of force to initiate
motion as it does to maintain a constant velocity for this block on this
surface.

Surface: Sand Paper

For static friction (Fs = 7N):
Fs = μs * N
μs = Fs / N
μs = 8 N / 10.791 N
μs = 0.741

For kinetic friction (Fk = 7 N):

Fk = μk * FN
μk = Fk / FN
μk = 7 N / 10.791 N
μk = 0.647
- In this instance, the coefficient of kinetic friction (μk) is marginally lower
than the coefficient of static friction (μs). This is a typical finding for the
majority of materials. It suggests that greater power is needed to start
the wood block moving (static friction) than to maintain it moving once it
has begun (kinetic friction).

D) When an object is placed on a different surface, the coefficients of friction would change.
The materials that interact and the surface conditions determine the values of the static
and kinetic coefficients of friction. The friction between a surface and an item can be
affected by differences in its smoothness, roughness, and other qualities. In our case,
the surfaces of the wood, Melamine table, and sand paper were used, and the
coefficients did in fact change.

E) There are many sources of error that could compromise the results of the measurements
during this lab. To reduce these sources of inaccuracy, here are some possible cautions :
- Measurement Tools: Errors may be introduced by the precision of measurement
instruments, such as force sensors or spring scales. Make sure to utilize
high-precision instruments and routinely calibrate your equipment. Check for zero
mistakes as well.
- Human error: Mistakes can occur due to differences in the way humans use
force. Reduce this mistake by employing automated equipment or having one
person complete the measurements.
- Surface Contaminations: Measurements of friction can be impacted by
impurities such as oil, dust, or other materials on the surfaces. Prior to starting
studies, surfaces should be cleaned and degreased.
 - Variability in Applied Force: The outcome may change depending on how
consistently the force is administered. Make use of a controlled and reliable force
delivery technique, like a pulley system or a motor with a steady velocity.
- Irregular Object Shape: Variability in friction readings may arise if the object
under test has an uneven form or edges. Use things with consistent, well-defined
shapes wherever possible.
It is important that you use accurate measurement tools and tightly control and organise
conditions for experiments in order to reduce these possible sources of error. Additionally, some
of the natural variability in friction measurements can be taken into consideration by averaging
the results across multiple trials.

F) Our Hypothesis:
G) Apply and extend
That'd be really unusual! In general, the static coefficient of friction is higher than the
kinetic coefficient. The force needed to get an object moving and get past its initial
resistance is known as the coefficient of static friction. The force needed to maintain the
object's motion at a constant speed once it is in motion is represented by the coefficient
of kinetic friction. It would be counter to common knowledge and observations if a
student asserted that their data demonstrated that the coefficient of kinetic friction was
higher than the coefficient of static friction. Errors or discrepancies could have occurred
during the data collecting or analysis process.