Name: ________________________________
Date: _________________________________
Finding the Coefficient of Static Friction
Today you will be finding the static friction coefficient for various objects on different surfaces. In
order to do so, you will use a ruler, and various surfaces/ items that will be listed below.
Procedure:
1. Place the sock covered calculator on a textbook.
2. Raise the textbook gradually until the calculator begins to slide
3. Once the calculator has started to slide, measure the height of the textbook’s raised side to
the nearest centimeter, and the length to the raised point to the nearest centimeter as well.
4. Repeat for each combination listed in the “objects” column of table 1
Diagram 1
Calculator
Height
Textbook
Length
Materials:
1. Measuring Tape or Ruler
2. Calculators in socks
3. Textbook
4. Wood Board
Results:
Table 1
Objects
Calculators in socks on
Textbook
Calculators out of socks on
Textbook
Textbook on Textbook
Calculators in socks on wood
Textbook on wood
Height
Length
Calculate the coefficient of static friction for each object pair by using the formula
in conjunction with trigonometric functions. (Remember from yesterday: The coefficient of static
friction= tan 𝜃)
Calculators in Socks on Textbook
Calculators on Textbook
Textbook on Textbook
Calculators in Socks on Wood
Textbook on Wood