Bradley Hamilton

Introductory Physics 1210

Linda McDonald
10/11/14
Porpoise:
The porpoise of this lab was to determine the kinetic and static coefficients
of friction between a wooden block and a wooden incline.
Equipment list and set-up:
The equipment we used included, but was not limited to: a ruler, a long, flat
wooden plank, a wooden block, a supporting agent (i.e. backpacks, ring
stand, etc.), a stopping mechanism, several stopwatches, and the moral
support of others. Items not listed previously include: air (for breathing
porpoises), tables (to put stuff on), a floor (to walk on), and calculators (to
promote laziness). (Pictures below)
-The supporting agents were placed underneath the wooden board.
-The stopping agent was placed at the end of the board and secured.
-The wooden block was placed at the top of the incline.

Procedure:
A.

Determining Coefficient of Friction:

1. Prepare multiple timers to record the duration of the block moving
down the incline.
2. Countdown from three and release the block as the timers start
timing with their timers.
3. Watch the block slide down the incline.
4. Timers stop the time when the block reaches the bottom of the
incline.
5. Record the times.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 5 times for accurate results.
7. Turn block on its side and repeat steps 1-6.
8. Secure a block to the top of the current block and repeat steps 1-6.
9. Remove extra block and increase the incline of the ramp by adding
more supporting agents. Repeat steps 1-6.
B.
Determining Minimum Angle to Overcome Static Friction and
the Coefficient of Static Friction:
1. Lay the board flat on the table.
2. Stand a ruler perpendicular to the table and next to the top of the
board.
3. Place the wooden block at the top of the board.
4. Lift the board at a constant speed until the block begins to move
down the slope.
5. Record the height at which the block began to move.
6. Repeat steps 3-6 5 times to ensure accuracy.
Theory:
Definition of Terms:

Force: The mass of an object times its acceleration

Force of Gravity: The mass of an object times its
acceleration due to gravity
Friction: A force acting against the direction of motion
Static Friction: The initial amount of resistance to
motion of an object at rest
Kinetic Friction: The amount of resistance on an
object while it is in motion
Coefficient of Friction: A number which represents
the friction present between two surfaces
Kinematics: The area of physics which focuses on motion
Error: See Lab 1 for definition of error
Precision: See Lab 1 for definition of precision
Accuracy: See Lab 1 for definition of accuracy

Equation Derivations:

Given Equations:

F=ma

f =N

1 2
x f =x o + v o t+ at
2

The first step in calculating the coefficient of friction () is to find the

angle of the plank (). To do so, we apply the law of right triangles to
determine that the sine of the angle of the plank is equal to the board height
divided by the board length. We simplify this equation to find the angle of the
plank.
sin ( )=

height
( plank
plank length )
height
( plank
plank length )

=sin1

Since the porpoise of this lab was to find the coefficient of friction, we must
derive an equation to find it. First, we consider the sum of the forces in both
the direction parallel to the slope and perpendicular to it. The sum of the
forces in the perpendicular direction is the normal force (N) minus the
perpendicular component of the force of gravity (cos()mg). Since
the block does not move in the perpendicular direction, the net force on the
block in the perpendicular direction is 0. Using Newtons second law, we can
solve for the normal force.

F =ma=0
0=N cos ( ) mg
N=cos ( ) mg
The sum of the forces in the parallel direction are the parallel component
of the force of gravity (sin()mg) minus the force of friction (f). We
know that the force of friction is equal to the coefficient of friction times the
normal force. If we substitute in the perpendicular component of the force of
gravity for the normal force, we can use Newtons second law to derive an
equation for the coefficient of friction. Note that the mass cancels out so that
in the experiment, mass is irrelevant.

 F =ma
F =sin ( ) mgf
F =sin ( ) mgN
F =sin ( ) mg cos ( ) mg
ma=sin ( ) mg cos ( ) mg
a=sin ( ) g cos ( ) g

sin ( ) ga
cos ( ) g

The experiment gave us every variable except for the acceleration of the
block (a). For that, we refer to the kinematic equation which excludes the
final velocity (vf). Using this equation, we can derive the acceleration. Note
that the initial velocity (vo) and the initial distance (xo) are both 0. The
time (t) and the length of the board (xf) each have non-zero integers.
1 2
x f =x o + v o t+ at
2
1
x f = at 2
2
a=

2 x f
t

Data Analysis:
Calculating :
Equations:
=sin1

height
( plank
plank length )

Using the equation derived in Theory, we can insert data to find the angle of
the plank.
=sin1

Which then becomes

50 cm
( 157
cm )

=18.57
Calculating Coefficient of Friction and Static Friction:
Equations:
=

sin ( ) ga
cos ( ) g

a=

2 x f
t

Using these equations derived in Theory, we can first calculate the

acceleration of the block as it moves down the ramp
a=

2(1.57 m )
1.77 sec

1.001

m
2
s

Substituting this acceleration into the first equation, we can solve for the
kinetic coefficient of friction (k):
sin ( 18.57 ) g1.001
k =

m
s2

= .22

cos ( 18.57 ) g

Once we find the coefficient for each experiment, we calculate the average.
Trial

Height (m)

Sin ()

Time (sec)

Coefficient
()
.23
.24
.23
.33
.31
Avg:
.27

1
2
3
4
5

50
50
50
70
75

18.57
18.57
18.57
26.48
28.54

1.767
1.971
1.786
1.186
0.865

Now, to solve for the static coefficient of friction (s), we follow the same
process used to find the angle and then the coefficient of friction, noting that
the acceleration is 0.
=sin1

50 cm
( 157
cm )

s =

= 18.57

sin ( 18.57 ) g0
cos ( 18.57 ) g

s =tan (18.57 )

.34

Error Analysis:
Error analysis of calculation of static friction:
Value measured Value Actual
Value Actual

.33-.27

22% error

.27

Sources of error:
We recognize that this is a wide margin of error for this experiment, but we
believe we might know why. Ignoring human blunders, such as not stopping
a timer until twenty seconds after the trial and starting the block down the
path while timers were not ready, there were a few serious statistical and
systematic errors which hindered our results. The main error in the system
was the inconsistent friction coefficient between the board and the block.
The block had several blemishes which kept it from having a smooth surface
and the plank suffered from the same condition. This means that every time
we sent the block down the ramp, a different coefficient of friction was
experienced between the block and the board. In results and conclusions,
I will try to remedy this error or at least minimize it. The main source of
statistical error came from the inability of the timers to accurately measure
the time it took for the block to reach the end of the ramp. The error was
substantial in this lab and much of it was due to the equipment.

Results and Conclusions:

The experiment went well. Overall, our data was not as precise as we would
have preferred but the results are still within reason. It was difficult to get
consistent results on the data because the board and the block both had
areas of varying friction. That is to say that every time the experiment took
place, the block and the board had a different coefficient of friction and I
believe our data reflects this fact. To solve this problem, the students should
sand the board and the block to make it have a consistent texture and
roughness throughout. Also, using a narrower board would help eliminate this
problem. Professor McDonald is the best physics professor Ive ever had in all
my years of college and she deserves a break after reading through this
grueling lab report. She should go out and enjoy the sun (if its sunny) or if
its raining then she can stay inside and do something fun like read a book
and not grade more physics labs. Then again, if she really has to get this
done then she should work for another half hour or so and the take a break.

Unless that is, Im the last paper. In that case, she can end on a happy note
and give me a shining gold star (that means an A) and take a sigh of relief
because shes finally done. If Im not the last paper then after shes done
with her break and she gets back to the paperwork, she should know that I
believe in her. She can do this! David believes in you too but he doesnt want
to say it out loud. This lab was a success and I am glad to be done with it.