Student Name(s):
Harry Brown
Date:
Friction
Physics 12
Experiment 6
Lab Report
Fall 2022
Purpose/Goal: Provide a few brief sentences of the purpose and goals of the lab. Discuss what is
being studied, the measurements of interest, and the pertinent results.
List of Materials: Include a list of equipment that was needed to complete the experiment.
Diagram of Apparatus
Procedure: You are given a basic outline of the procedure used to obtain the data as well as the
full procedure needed analyze the data in the lab procedure provided for you. You need to
summarize these procedures so that you would be able to reproduce the experiment,
particularly the analysis, without the instructions that I provided for you. You need to write this
in your own words. DO NOT just copy the procedures that were provided to you. That will result
in a ZERO for your lab grade.
Data and Calculations: Here you need to show any data collected as well as all Min/Max
calculations of the coefficients of friction that were done for this lab. Be sure to state the results
of the coefficients with most probable error.
Questions
Compare these new values of µs that you obtained with your new value of µk. How do the values
compare? Do the results agree with theoretical predictions? If they do not agree, discuss the possible
reasons why?
The static coefficient is larger than the kinetic coefficient. I believe that they do agree with the
theoretical predictions because logically, it would take more effort and force to get an object that is at
rest to start to move. As newton said, somewhere along the lines. An object in motion tends to stay in
motion while an object at rest tends to stay at rest. Therefore, to change between being at rest to being
in motion it takes much more effort than it does to just stay in motion.
According to our theoretical equations, what effect should mass have on the value of µs or µk?
As the mass increased, the tension increases at an equivalent rate and in response the static coefficient
remains constant as well as the kinetic coefficient.
According to our experimental results, how does the mass placed in the cart affect the values of µs and
µk? Does this agree with the theoretical predictions? If not, why do you think there is disagreement?
It doesn’t affect our values of the coefficients because in our equation, both the numerator and the
denominator are increasing or decreasing at a proportional rate to eachother.
Conclusion: Here is where you should write the conclusion of the experiment, just as you would
if the lab was being conducted face to face. Be sure to include all values for the coefficients of
static and kinetic friction. Discuss your overall conclusions of the experiment, what conclusions
can you draw from your results? Think back to your stated purpose, discuss whether your
objectives were met and if the lab was successful. Support your claim.
Error Analysis: Here is where you should write an error analysis of the experiment, just as you
would if the lab was being conducted face to face. You can still critique the procedure used to
gather data, even though you didn’t take it yourself. Provide a brief (few sentences) discussion
of the sources of error in your experiment AND how they would impact your results. DO NOT just
claim human error.