Measurement of Static and Kinetic Friction Forces between Wood and a Table
Purpose:
In this experiment, a spring scale will help calculate the static friction and kinetic friction between a wooden block and table. Several factors impact the amounts of friction, and this experiment examines the factors and how they impact the sliding of the wooden blocks. Surface area of the blocks affect the friction, and the contact between the different surfaces varies for different objects and weights. Kinetic friction occurs when two objects move against each other with their surfaces in contact, and the normal force helps calculate kinetic friction. Static friction is the force which must be overcoming to originally start moving an object. Once the frictions are calculated, coefficients may be calculated as well.
Equipment & Materials:
-Spring Scale
-Several Wooden Blocks (Around 3” x 12” x 3/4”)
-Yarn or String
-Push Pins or Thumb Tacks
-Table or Desk Surface
Procedure:
For the first part of the procedure, a loop of yarn was attached to the end of a 12” block by using a push pin. The spring scale was used to measure the weight of the block of wood and the measurement was recorded in the data table. Then, the block was placed on a smooth table surface and the spring scale was connected to the yarn. The spring …show more content…
According to PhysLink, the coefficient of static friction on wood and wood ranges from 0.25-0.5, and the kinetic friction coefficient to be around 0.2 (Skorucak). These values are significantly greater than the values determined in the experiment. It is likely that since the blocks of wood were placed on a very smooth and polished kitchen table, the result of the friction forces and lower coefficient values were lower. However, as expected, the static friction value was calculated to be greater than the kinetic friction
Purpose:
In this experiment, a spring scale will help calculate the static friction and kinetic friction between a wooden block and table. Several factors impact the amounts of friction, and this experiment examines the factors and how they impact the sliding of the wooden blocks. Surface area of the blocks affect the friction, and the contact between the different surfaces varies for different objects and weights. Kinetic friction occurs when two objects move against each other with their surfaces in contact, and the normal force helps calculate kinetic friction. Static friction is the force which must be overcoming to originally start moving an object. Once the frictions are calculated, coefficients may be calculated as well.
Equipment & Materials:
-Spring Scale
-Several Wooden Blocks (Around 3” x 12” x 3/4”)
-Yarn or String
-Push Pins or Thumb Tacks
-Table or Desk Surface
Procedure:
For the first part of the procedure, a loop of yarn was attached to the end of a 12” block by using a push pin. The spring scale was used to measure the weight of the block of wood and the measurement was recorded in the data table. Then, the block was placed on a smooth table surface and the spring scale was connected to the yarn. The spring …show more content…
According to PhysLink, the coefficient of static friction on wood and wood ranges from 0.25-0.5, and the kinetic friction coefficient to be around 0.2 (Skorucak). These values are significantly greater than the values determined in the experiment. It is likely that since the blocks of wood were placed on a very smooth and polished kitchen table, the result of the friction forces and lower coefficient values were lower. However, as expected, the static friction value was calculated to be greater than the kinetic friction