SUMMARY:
In this experiment, the main aim is to calculate the friction force acting on an object
while changing the steepness of an inclined plane. The maximum constant of static friction
force will be calculated, until the object starts to slide down because of the angle between the
inclined plane and the horizontal surface. Also different massed objects will be used multiple
times to make sure that mass factor doesn’t affect the calculation process. Overall, the main
thing that will be measured is the constant of static friction force acting on an object which is
on an inclined plane.
EQUIPMENT:
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Inclined plane that has changeable steep
One wooden block
200, and 400 g masses that can be fixed on the wooden block
Protractor
Balance
MEASUREMENTS:
1) Mass of the block and total masses
2) The different angles between the inclined plane and the horizontal
3) Maximum constant of static friction force just before the moment when the block
starts moving
RESEARCH:
I looked at different webpages of multiple universities and some YouTube channels
that made physics videos. After some research, I made up my mind that I was going to make
an experiment about inclined planes but combining it with friction force came after seeing
one of the “Suggested Problems” on the Moodle page. Some webpages that I searched are
shown below:
● https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/physics_and_astronomy/
my_physics/phys_101_laboratory/index.php
● https://openstax.org/books/physics/pages/5-4-inclined-planes
● https://aovgun.weebly.com/uploads/9/8/7/3/98730038/covId19_phys101_labm
anual.pdf
SETUP:
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An inclined plane will be fixed to the table.
Different blocks will be taken.
PROCEDURE:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Masses of the blocks will be found by using a balance. They will be noted down.
Inclined plane will be set at an angle like 15 degrees.
Inclined plane’s angle will be calculated with the protractor.
tanθ = y/x of the inclined plane.
One of the wooden blocks will be taken and put on the inclined place.
Different angles will be obtained and the angle that the block starts moving will be
noted down.
7) Static friction force will be found from that angle. The two equations below will be
used:
Fstatic = m.g.sinθ
Fnormal = m.g.cosθ
8) The same experiment will be constructed by adding different masses on the wooden
blocks to see that the mass of the blocks don’t affect the constant of static friction
force on an inclined plane.
TABLES TO RECORD THE DATA:
Table1: mass of the blocks vs static friction force constant table
Block Identity
Block Mass
(g)
Max Constant of Static Friction
Force (μs)
Angle that Causes the Max
Friction Force (μs)
block
block + 200g
block + 400g
Table2: angle of the inclined plane vs static friction force constant table
Block Identity
Block Mass(g)
Angle(θ)
tanθ
block
π/12
0.268
block
π/6
0.577
block
π/4
1.000
block
π/3
1.732
Static Friction Force (μs)
block
max θ for μs
block + 200g
π/12
0.268
block + 200g
π/6
0.577
block + 200g
π/4
1.000
block + 200g
π/3
1.732
block + 200g
max θ for μs
block + 400g
π/12
0.268
block + 400g
π/6
0.577
block + 400g
π/4
1.000
block + 400g
π/3
1.732
block + 400g
max θ for μs
PROCEDURE TO ANALYZE DATA:
1) Mass of Blocks vs. Static Friction Constant graph will be drawn in order to conclude
that mass of the blocks do not affect the maximum static friction force constant.
2) Angle of the Inclined Plane vs. Static Friction Constant graphs for different masses
of blocks in order to find the maximum angle that the block stays immobile, and the
maximum constant for static friction.
THEORY FOR THE RESULTS:
-
Maximum static friction force constant on an inclined plane is independent of the
mass of the objects and the angle of the inclined plane directly affects the friction
constant. These theory will be derived by using the laws and formulas mentioned
below:
- Newton’s Laws: to show the free body diagrams of the wooden blocks
- Friction formulas:
Ffrictionstatic = m.g.μs