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LAB 5
Principles
Whenever two surfaces touch, they exert forces on each other. The ultimate source of these surface or contact forces is the electrical attraction or repulsion between the charged particles electrons and protons of which all matter is made. The vector sum of all the sub-microscopic forces between the particles in the surfaces is a macroscopic force that we can measure in the laboratory. Diagram 1 illustrates two surfaces in contact. Each surface exerts an equal but oppositely directed force on the other. The total force, F12, that surface 2 exerts on surface 1 is in some arbitrary direction of space, as illustrated. For convenience, we break F12 up into components parallel and perpendicular to the surface. We call the perpendicular component the normal force (FN in the diagram) and the parallel component the frictional force (f).
F12 FN f
Surface 1 Surface 2
F21
Diagram 1 The normal force tends to keep the two surfaces apart: it resists surface 1 pressing into surface 2. The frictional force resists any relative motion between the surfaces and is always directed opposite to that motion, if the surfaces are moving, or opposite to any potential motion, if the surfaces are at rest.
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f FN
Mu is a unit-less number and is usually less than one in value. For any given surfaces the coefficients of static and kinetic friction are different, so we must distinguish between s (for static friction) and k (for kinetic friction). If we know the coefficients and the normal force, then we can calculate the frictional forces: (2) f s s FN
(where the inequality reflects the fact that fs is variable; the maximum value of fs is given by the equal sign;)
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(3)
f k = k FN
Usually, s is greater than k, so the maximum strength of static friction is greater than the strength of kinetic friction. Determining the Frictional Force In our experiment we will first determine the coefficients of static and kinetic friction between two wood surfaces (a wood block and a wood plank). Diagram 2 illustrates the set-up we will use. The block (M1) is placed on a horizontal plank and is connected by a string to a weight (M2), which is hung vertically by means of a pulley. To find the magnitude of kinetic friction, we hang just enough weight on the string so that if the block is set in motion, it slides at constant speed. (We must first set it in motion by giving it a little shove, since static friction will otherwise hold it in place.) Since the blocks acceleration is zero in both the horizontal and vertical directions, Newtons second law of motion tells us that the sum of the forces in each of these directions must be zero. In the horizontal direction, the tension in the string (which equals the weight of the hanging mass) pulls the block and kinetic friction resists the pull. In the vertical direction, the blocks own weight pulls down and the normal force pushes up. Each of these pairs of forces must be equal and opposite, so we must have: (4) f k = W2 and FN = W1
where W2 is the weight of the hanging mass and W1 is the weight of the block (and any mass on top of it). Since we know the masses, we can calculate the frictional and normal forces. We can determine the coefficient of kinetic friction by running several trials and calculating the ratio of the masses for each trial: (5)
s =
f s W2 m 2 g m 2 = = = FN FNW1 m1 g m1
f M1
W1 M2 W2
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Diagram 2 The coefficient of static friction can be determined in much the same way. In this case we leave the block at rest and look for that hanging mass which just starts the block sliding. When the block just begins to slide we have (6) f s = W2 and FN = W1
just as in the kinetic case. We will determine s by graphing fs as a function of FN. The slope of the graph is s. Friction and Surface Area Since frictional forces arise when two surfaces are in contact with each other, it might seem reasonable to expect that the magnitude of the frictional force would decrease as the amount of surface area in contact decreases. However, we find that frictional forces are roughly independent of the size of the area in contact. As an explanation for this, consider that the weight of the block is the same, regardless of whether the wide or the narrow face rests on the plank. For the narrow face, we have the same force (the weight of the block) pressing into a smaller area of the plank. This means the pressure is greater (pressure is force divided by area) and the surfaces are squeezed together more tightly. This increases the frictional force in the same proportion as the surface area has decreased. The result is that the magnitude of the frictional force is the same as it was with the wide face down. We will test this idea by re-performing our experiment for kinetic friction using the narrow face of the block and comparing results in the two cases.
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Limiting angle of repose There is a second way of determining the coefficient of static friction. Refer to diagram 3. We put the block on the plank and raise one end of the plank so that it makes an angle with the horizontal. When the angle is large enough, the block will slide down the incline.
fs
FN
Wsin
Wcos
Diagram 3 At an angle just before the block begins to slide (called the limiting angle of repose), the forces are still balanced and we have: f s = W sin and FN = W cos
s =
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Experiments
The procedures below consist of four related experiments: 1. Determine the coefficient of kinetic friction between a wooden block and a wooden plank by finding the force (weight of hanging mass) necessary to keep the block moving at constant speed. We will simply eyeball the motion of the block to estimate when it is moving at constant speed. 2. Perform the same experiment with a smaller area of contact between the block and plank to determine what effect surface area has on the force of kinetic friction. 3. Determine the coefficient of static friction between the block and the plank. This uses the same setup as in part 1; here one simply determines what weight of hanging mass is necessary to start the block moving from rest. 4. Determine the coefficient of static friction from the limiting angle of repose. Here, we use an inclined plank and find the maximum angle to which the plank can be raised before the block begins sliding.
Equipment
Wood block Glass block Block with other material (optional) Wood plank Pulley Mass hanger Mass set, including 5 100gram masses as weights String Table stand Right angle clamp Metal rod Inclinometer
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6. Repeat the above process, adding 100 grams on top of the block for each new trial, for a total of six trials.
Analysis
1. Calculate the normal force, Fn, and the frictional force, fk, for each trial. Note that the normal forces are the same for the wide & narrow faces. 2. Calculate the coefficient of friction k for each trial. 3. Find the average values, the deviations, and the standard deviation for both data sets. 4. Calculate the percent difference between the average values for the wide & narrow faces. 5. Questions: a) In determining the kinetic friction force, f, why was it necessary that the block move at constant speed? b) Using Newtons Laws, show how you would measure k for an accelerating block.
1. Calculate the average hanging mass for each normal force and from this the average maximum static friction force for each mass set. 2. Graph the frictional force as a function of the normal force. Assume that if the normal force is zero (a massless block), the frictional force will also be zero, so use the origin (0,0) as the first point of the graph. Using a straight edge, draw the best line you can determine from the origin and through the data points. 3. Take the slope of the graph and write down the equation of the graph. The slope is your experimental value for the coefficient of static friction. 4. Question: In determining the static friction force for the block on the plank, if too much mass were placed on the hanger, the block would jerk off suddenly. Use your results for k and s to explain why.
PHYS 2211L
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Tri al 1 2 3 4 5 6
Mass on block
Dev.
Average: _______ _______ Standard Deviation: Kinetic Friction Narrow Face Normal Hanging Friction Force (FN) mass (m2) Force (fk) _______
Tri al 1 2 3 4 5 6
Mass on block
Dev.
PHYS 2211L
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Trial
Mass on block
Equation of Graph:
s : __________
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Trial 1 2 3 Average s
Wood
Other
___________