Lab Assignment: Friction and Forces Laboratory: Conclusions
- Interpreting Data: Was the coefficient of static friction the same for all the surfaces? Does the coefficient of static friction vary for different blocks for the given surface? What is the relationship between the mass of the block and the static frictional force?
- Interpreting Data: Was the coefficient of kinetic friction the same for all the surfaces? Does the coefficient of kinetic friction vary for different blocks for the given surface? What is the relationship between the mass of the block and the kinetic frictional force? Which is more? Is it coefficient of kinetic friction or coefficient of static friction?
- Interpreting Data: Why is the acceleration more when you add mass to the mass hanger? Why was the block not moving when certain lower values of mass were added to the mass hanger? Why is the force on the block more when a block moves with greater acceleration?
- Analyzing Results: According to your data, for which block was the static frictional force maximum on the glass surface? For which block was the static frictional force minimum on the glass surface? Which surface is smoother? Is it the wooden or glass surface?
- Evaluating Methods: In order to calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction in experiment II, the block moves with the constant velocity for a certain value of force. How does this help you to calculate the value of the coefficient of kinetic friction?
The lab report that you submit to your teacher should include:
- A document file (RTF) containing:
- Your experimental design idea and answers to the initial questions.
- Your hypothesis about this experiment supported with physics concepts.
- Conclusions from this experiment.
- Copy the following spreadsheet and chart information into your document:
- Your data table from your experiments.
- Your calculation for static friction value for each block and the coefficient of static friction between block and the wooden surface.
- Your calculation for static friction value for each block and the coefficient of static friction between block and the glass surface.
- Your calculation for the force acting on block 1 and the combined blocks 1 & 2 using the acceleration produced on the block(s).
Reminder: Be sure to submit your assignment at this time. Refer to the Guidelines for the Laboratory section for directions on how to submit your assignment to your instructor.