SPH3U Full Name: ___________________________

Worksheet: Friction Lab

Purpose: To determine the coefficients of static and kinetic friction between 2 contact surfaces.

Note: Students must work in groups of 3. Each member would assume one of the following roles: Experimenter, Observer, and
Recorder. The role of the experimenter is to conduct the experiment; the role of the observer is to observe the readings, and the
role of the recorder is to collect and record the data in appropriate tables. Members will rotate their roles for the 3 experiments.

Lab 1 and 2: Coefficient of Static Friction and Kinetic Friction

During the Lab: Procedure

Figure 1:
A force measuring device pulling a mass combination of a wooden block and a mass to determine the static
frictional force and the kinetic frictional force. Four different masses are used. In Lab 1 the mass combination is
pulled until it just starts to move. The force used has the same magnitude as the static frictional force. In Lab 2 the
mass combination is pulled at constant speed and the force used has the same magnitude as the kinetic frictional
force.
1. Obtain a wooden block from a group member and place it on a ramp that is laid flat. Measure its weight using Newton scale.
2. Place an external weight with a mass of 200.g (or other value) on the wooden block, as shown in Figure 1.
3. Record the total mass in the first column of Table 1 below. Determine the normal force and record that in the second
column of the table.
4. Attach the spring scale to the wooden block, as shown in Figure 1. A paper clip may be used for the connection, if
necessary.
5. Using the Newton scale, gradually pull the block across the desk with an increasing force till it just moves. Ensure that the
pull is horizontal and the scale does not touch the flat ramp.
6. Note the reading on the scale when the block just moves. This is the maximum force of static friction. Record it in the third
column of Table 1 below.
7. Repeat steps 2-6 two more times for a total of 2 trials.
8. Using the Newton scale, gently and slowly pull the block with a constant speed across the table. Ensure that the pull is
horizontal and the scale does not touch the board.
9. Note the reading on the scale required to maintain a constant force while moving. This is the force of kinetic friction.
Record it in the fourth column of Table 1 below.
10. Obtain the average of the values of the forces and record them in the table.
11. Repeat steps 2-10 for two additional external weights on top of the block (for example: m = 500.g and m=1000. g)

Post-Lab Activity (to be submitted electronically)

1. Construct a table similar to Table 1 in Microsoft Word and transfer all your readings (or use this one)
2. Label the table. Properly APA format the table. It should be called a Table # with an explicit description ABOVE the table.
𝐹𝑠
3. Using the information in the tables, construct two separate electronic scatter-plot graphs to depict the ratios µ𝑠 = 𝐹𝑁
and
𝐹𝑘
µ𝑘 = 𝐹𝑁
. Label the x- and the y-axis appropriately.
4. Using the graph options in the spreadsheet to draw the line of best fit and obtain the equation of the line.
5. Properly format the graph. It should be called a Figure # with a FULL description under the graph.
Lab 3: Acceleration of the block-mass pulley system

During the Lab: Procedure

Figure 2: PLACE A TITLE IN BOLD FOLLOWED BY A FULL DESCRIPTION HERE OF WHAT THE FIGURE IS SHOWING
AND WHAT YOU ARE USING IT TO DETERMINE.
1. Using the same wooden block and external weight (m=200.g or whatever you used) combination used in Labs 1
and 2, attach an external hanging weight to it using a string and a pulley, as shown in Figure 2. Various hanging
weights may have to be tested to determine which one causes the system to slowly accelerate. HOWEVER, once
you decide what hanging mass to use this is the ONLY combination you will use for Lab 3. You will not vary them
as you did in Labs 1 and 2.
2. Record the masses of the block, and the external weights in the data table below.
3. With the system set up as shown in Figure 2, choose a starting position for the block-weight combination on the
table before it is released. Mark this point with tape. Record the distance, ∆𝑑 between the starting point and
the ending point in Table 2.
4. With a stopwatch set to record, release the suspended weight from rest.
5. Observe and record the number of seconds that the system takes to accelerate from rest till the ending point in
Table 2.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 for a total of 4 trials.
7. Determine the average time for the 4 trials and record it in the table.

Post-Lab Activity (to be submitted electronically)

1. Record the data collected from Lab 3 in Table 3 in Microsoft Word.

2. Using the information collected in the column labelled “Kinematic Approach” of Table 3, determine the
acceleration of the system using one of the 5 kinematics equations. Show all the calculations in the left column.
3. Using the value of µ𝑘, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 found in Lab 2 as well as Newton’s Laws, determine the acceleration of the
system and record in the column labelled “Dynamics Approach”
4. Compare the values of acceleration found using the two approaches. Determine the percent error using
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒−𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 |
% 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = || 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 | ×100
5. List possible sources of error in the experiment to explain the discrepancy between the two values.
Table 1:

A record of the total mass in kilograms being pulled and the associated normal force. The maximum force of Static
Friction is recorded from Lab 1 results and the Force of Kinetic Friction is recorded from Lab 2 results.

Mblock + 200 g mass Normal Force, FN (N) Static Friction Force, FS (N) Kinetic Friction, FK (N)
Mblock (kg)=
Mtotal (kg) =
Trial 1

Trial 2

Average

Mblock + 500 g mass Normal Force, FN (N) Static Friction, FS (N) Kinetic Friction, FK (N)
Mblock (kg)=
Mtotal (kg) =
Trial 1

Trial 2

Average

Mblock + 1000 g mass Normal Force, FN (N) Static Friction, FS (N) Kinetic Friction, FK (N)
Mblock (kg)=
Mtotal (kg) =
Trial 1

Trial 2

Average

Mblock + 1200 g mass Normal Force, FN (N) Static Friction, FS (N) Kinetic Friction, FK (N)
Mblock (kg)=
Mtotal (kg) =
Trial 1

Trial 2

Average
Table 2:

DO THIS DESCRIPTION YOURSELF

Distance, travelled Time taken for the motion, Δt (s)

∆𝑑 (𝑐𝑚) =

∆𝑑 (𝑚) =
Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

Trial 4

Average

Lab 1 FBD Static Friction: Lab 1 FBD Kinetic Friction:

Lab 2 FBD (either do one system FBD or 2 separate FBDs):

Table 3:

DO THIS TABLE DESCRIPTION YOURSELF OF THE 2 ANALYSES

Object at which starts at rest on the surface, m1 Hanging object, m2

Mblock (kg) = mon top of block (kg) = mhanging object (kg) =

m1 = mtotal (kg) = Fg2 (N) =

Fg1 (N) =
System Analysis using kinematics (the experimental System Analysis using dynamics (Newton’s Laws)
data)
Theoretical values
Experimental values
µ𝑘, 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐿𝑎𝑏 2 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡 =
∆𝑑 (𝑐𝑚) = ∆𝑑 (𝑚) =

𝑣1 (𝑚/𝑠) =

∆𝑡 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒(𝑠) =
Equation used to determine the value of acceleration
Equation used to determine the value of acceleration

Calculations and FBD (s) to determine the acceleration

Calculations and FBD (s) to determine the acceleration

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒−𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 |

% 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = || 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 | ×100
Notes:
● The electronic submission is on Brightspace.
● Formulas should be typed up with an equation editor.
● FBDs should be done on the computer.
● Graphs must be done on the computer.
● Tables, Figures should be APA formatted.
● Any information taken from resources should be cited and called References