Coefficient of Static Friction of multiple wrestling shoes

Plymouth Whitemarsh High School May 16, 2013

The purpose of this lab is to prove which wrestling shoes have the best grip on the wrestling mat. In order to determine this we found the coefficient of static friction by pulling the shoe with a spring scale until it moved. After recording the force to make the shoe moved we used it to find the coefficient of static friction. After finding all of the coefficients we entered them into a graph which showed which shoes had the best grip and if any other factors may change it.

Introduction
The lab was conducted in order to determine which wrestling shoe has the best grip. This information can be vital in a wrestling match. In the sport of wrestling one slip can determine the outcome. Most people purchase wrestling shoes because of their look or brand, while overlooking the most important part, the grip. Wrestling shoes may be used for many years in a row until they start to fall apart. Even after they start to fall apart wrestlers will rap the shoe in tape unknowingly destroying the integrity of the grip.

Experiment
To start the lab we collected seven wrestling shoes of varying condition, age and brand. To be as realistic as possible were conducted the experiment in the wrestling room on the mat. We used an electronic scale to the mass and a spring scale to find the force needed to make the shoe move on the mat. We attached the spring scale to the front of the shoe and pulled it parallel to the mat. We repeated the step three more times and recorded our data. After finding all of the data we found the average force it took to make it move. After solving for the coefficient of static friction we entered the data into a graph and determined the shoe with the best grip.

Data
Table 1-1
Type of shoe Mass (Kg) Force used to Pull (Newtons) Trial 1 New Adidas Old Adidas New Asics Old Asics Old Asics with tape New Nike Old Nike 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.25 0.3 0.3 7 3 3 3 1.3 2 1.9 Trial 2 7 2.9 4 3 1.4 2.3 1.8 Trial 3 6 2.8 4 3.4 1.5 2.4 2 Trial 4 6.2 3.1 4 3.3 1.2 2.3 2 Average Force (Newtons) 6.55 2.95 3.75 3.175 1.35 2.25 1.925 Coefficient of Friction () 2.23 1.51 1.28 1.08 0.55 0.77 0.65

Graph 1-1

Coefficient of Friction ()

Coefficient of Friction vs. Type of Shoe

2.50 2.00 1.50 1.00 0.50 0.00 New Adidas Old Adidas New Asics Old Asics Old Asics with tape New Nike Old Nike

Type of Shoe

Conclusions