December 5, 2013
Period #
Science Friction Lab
Purpose: Students investigate three types of friction- static, sliding, and
rolling- to determine which is the largest force and which is the smallest
force.
Scientific Method:
1. Ask a question
Which type of friction is the largest force- static, sliding, or rolling? Which is the
smallest?
2. Form a hypothesis
Write a statement or statements that answer the questions above.
3. Test the hypothesis / collect data (see procedures on page 540 in HOLT)
4. Practice steps 5, 6, and 7 several times before collecting data.
Data Table
Trials
1
2
3
4
Best Value
Static
Types of Friction (N)
Sliding
Rolling
Uncertainty
8. Analyze Results
Which type was the largest? Which was the smallest? Graph the results and look for the
relationship, if there is one.
December 5, 2013
Period #
Title (sample)
5
4
3
2
1
0
Category 1
Category 2
Category 3
Category 4
9. Communicate your Conclusion
Do the results support your hypothesis? If not, how would you revise or retest your
hypothesis?
10. Compare your results with those of another group. Are there any differences? Working
together, design a way to improve the experiment and resolve possible differences.