Friction

This lab has the students measuring the force of friction between a block and the table. A digital force meter is used to pull on the block until it starts to move. Static friction is measured from the maximum force registered on the force meter. Once the block is moving (at constant speed) the average force being applied can be measured and used to compute the coefficient of kinetic friction. To get good data, students need to be careful to keep the string between the force meter and the block horizontal, and to ramp up the force they are pulling with slowly to the point where the block begins to slide, and then adjust the force such that the block moves at constant speed. For best results the table and block surfaces should be clean and dry.


Edited Fall 2011 by Peter Beyersdorf