Graphical analysis of displacement with varying

friction
Patricio Jose H. Najeal 1

This study aims to analyze and interpret the effect of frictional force on a healthy person moving across
a surface. A PASCO Motion Sensor was connected to a laptop via a Universal Hub in order to digitally
store the data with the use of SPARKvue software. The PASCO Motion Sensor was then faced in the
direction of a straight cardboard runway 2 meters long. The test subject was then made to slide across
the runway three times before the data collection setup was then moved to a runway with a ceramic
surface, after which the test subject was made to slide across the ceramic runway three times. There
was a 30 second break between the trials where the test subject was allowed to rest. Data revealed that
the surface upon which a healthy person moves across affect the displacement over time of the person
because the acceleration going against the direction of motion brought about by frictional forces is
lower in a smoother surface.

Physical Science | Classical Kinematics

Introduction
Displacement along one dimension is affected by the
force applied on the object. In healthy humans, a common
method of displacement is walking, which is affected by
the frictional force applied on the object1.
Hence, this research was created to reassure the effects of
frictional force on humans. The research of this concept is
valuable for anyone under an introductory course of
Physics so that they may gain a deeper understanding of
the effects of frictional forces in human movement.
The main objective of this study is to graph the
displacement of a person on different surfaces and then
analyze and interpret the displacement versus time graph.
Methodology
A PASCO Motion Sensor was connected to a laptop
via a Universal Hub in order to digitally store the
data with the use of SPARKvue software. The
PASCO Motion Sensor was then faced in the
direction of a straight cardboard runway 2 meters
long.
The test subject was then made to slide across the
runway three times before the data collection setup
was then moved to a runway with a ceramic surface,
after which the test subject was made to slide across
the ceramic runway six times. There was a 30 second
break between the trials where the test subject was
allowed to rest.
Results and Discussion
Figure 1. Displacement versus time graph of the cardboard
runway
Figure 2. Displacement versus time graph of the tiled ceramic
surface
A comparison of the displacement versus time graph of
the cardboard runway shown in Figure 1, and the tiled
ceramic runway in Figure 2, reveals that the tiled ceramic
runway has a steeper slope compared to the cardboard
runway, meaning that the velocity in the tiled ceramic
surface is typically higher than that of the cardboard
runway. Because of the mostly linear nature of the
displacement versus time graph, it is implied that the
acceleration is uniform throughout the run. It is also worth
noting that it took longer for the velocity to equate to zero
in the tiled ceramic runway that the cardboard surface,
which entails that it took longer for the test subject to slow
down to a stop in the tiled ceramic surface compared to
the cardboard surface.
Conclusion
Frictional forces affect the displacement over time of a
healthy person. It takes longer to slow down in a more
frictionless surface, therefore allowing faster travel with
less force exerted. This is because the acceleration going
against the direction of motion brought about by frictional
forces is lower in a smoother surface
References
1. Giancoli, Douglas C. Physics: principles with
applications. (2015)
Acknowledgements
The researcher expresses their sincere appreciation for the
Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas Campus
for supporting this research and for allowing me to use the
facilities for data gathering, and the adviser of the
Experimental Physics Elective, Mr. Benito A. Baje.