i.

Introduction/Application

Physics has a lot of topics to cover. In the previous experiments, we discussed Forces,
Kinematics, and Motions. In this experiment, the focus is all about Friction. Friction is the force
resisting the relative motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, and material elements sliding against
each other. There are several types of friction like fluid friction which describes the friction between
layers of a viscous fluid that are moving relative to each other; dry friction which resists relative
lateral motion of two solid surfaces in contact and is subdivided into static friction between non-
moving surfaces, and kinetic friction between moving surfaces; lubricated friction which is a case of
fluid friction where a fluid separates two solid surfaces; skin friction which is a component of drag,
the force resisting the motion of a fluid across the surface of a body; internal friction is the force
resisting motion between the elements making up a solid material while it undergoes deformation
and sliding friction.
When surfaces in contact move relative to each other, the friction between the two surfaces
converts kinetic energy into heat. This property can have dramatic consequences, as illustrated by
the use of friction created by rubbing pieces of wood together to start a fire. Kinetic energy is
converted to heat whenever motion with friction occurs, for example when a viscous fluid is
stirred. Another important consequence of many types of friction can be wear, which may lead to
performance degradation and/or damage to components. Friction is a component of the science
of tribology. calculation of friction from first principles impractical and necessitates the use of
empirical methods for analysis and the development of theory.
The work done by friction can translate into deformation, wear, and heat that can affect
the contact surface properties (even the coefficient of friction between the surfaces). This can be
beneficial as in polishing. The work of friction is used to mix and join materials such as in the
process of friction welding. Excessive erosion or wear of mating sliding surfaces occurs when work
due frictional forces rise to unacceptable levels. Harder corrosion particles caught between mating
surfaces in relative motion (fretting) exacerbates wear of frictional forces. Bearing seizure or failure
may result from excessive wear due to work of friction. As surfaces are worn by work due to
friction, fit and surface finish of an object may degrade until it no longer functions properly.
 Friction is an important factor in many engineering disciplines such as transportation and
measurement. For transportation, automobile brakes inherently rely on friction, slowing a vehicle
by converting its kinetic energy into heat. Incidentally, dispersing this large amount of heat safely is
one technical challenge in designing brake systems. For measurement, a tribometer is an
instrument that measures friction on a surface and a profilograph is a device used to measure
pavement surface roughness. Friction is also used to heat and ignite matchsticks.
Anybody that moves, in one way or another, experiences an opposing force either from air
or from another body in contact. This force tends to retard the motion of the body. The presence
of friction between contact surfaces generates sound, light, and heat energy. It is also referred to as
the retarding force or even drag force in the form of air resistance.

ii. Methodology

The first part of the experiment is “Determination of the Coefficient of Friction” The first
procedure is to position the wooden plane horizontally then measure the weights of the block and
pan using the platform balance. Next is to tie one end of the string to the block’s hook and the
other end to the pan passing over the pulley of the plane. Next, place the narrow side of the block
on top of the plane. Next, slowly add weights on the pan until you observe a uniform sliding
motion of the block along the plane. Record the weights on the data sheet then repeat it by adding
smaller weights on top of the block and adjusting the weights on the pan. Make five (5) trials but
on the third trial, use the wide side of the block. Calculate µ for each trial and finally determine its
average value. Lastly, Plot Wb along the abscissa (x-axis) and Wp along the ordinate (y-axis). Get the
slope of the line.

The second part of the experiment is “Determination of the Angle of Repose” as shown in
Figure 6. The first procedure is to remove the string that is tied to the block then place the block,
facing its wider side, to the center of the plane’s surface then gradually incline the plane until such
time that you observe the same type of motion the block had. Next is to measure the
 corresponding vertical height (h) and horizontal (b) then record them. Just repeat measuring until
you get five (5) trials. Lastly, compute the coefficient of motion by getting the tangent of the angle.
The last part of the experiment is “Determination of the Maximum Force that causes Uniform
Motion”. The first procedure is to incline the plane at an angle of 20o. Next is to add weights on
the pan until a uniform upward motion of the block is observed. Record the weights. Using
Newton’s First Law of Motion, determine the theoretical value of Wp that will cause the block to
slide at constant speed.

iii. Figures/Tables/Graphs

*Figures

Table 1
Table 1. Determination if the Coefficient Friction

TRIAL (Wblock + (Wpan + Coefficient

Weightadded) Weightadded) Friction
Wb Wp µ
1 138.9 g 20 g 0.144
2 143.9 g 25 g 0.174
3 148.9 g 30 g 0.201
4 153.9 g 35 g 0.227
5 158.9 g 40 g 0.252
Average Coefficient Friction, µ 0.1996

Table 2:
Table 2. Determination of the Angle Repose
Vertical Horizontal
TRIAL Height Distance
tan𝜽 𝜽
h b
1 25 cm 118 cm 0.212 11.97o
2 25 cm 118 cm 0.212 11.97o
3 24.3 cm 118.5 cm 0.205 11.585o
4 25.4 cm 118.4 cm 0.215 12.139o
5 24.8 cm 118.1 cm 0.209 11.805o

Table 3
Table 3. Determination of the Angle Repose
Wp Wp Percent
TRIAL 𝜽
(calculated) (experimental) Difference
1 20o 68.7139 g 70 g 1.87%
2 23o 74.4063 g 75 g 0.80%
3 26o 79.8948 g 80 g 0.13%
4 29o 85.1613 g 85 g 0.19%
5 32o 90.2603 g 90 g 0.22%
References:

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/vectors/Lesson-3/Resolution-of-Forces

http://www.scienceinfusion.com/composition-and-resolution-of-forces