Research Project Report

Name: Tan June Weng

Group Members: Tan Wei Jin, Goh Kai Yuan, Yap Choon Seong
Student ID: 19034099
Location: Sunway, KL

Title
Kinetic friction & Static friction

Aim
To determine the factors that affect the coefficient of kinetic friction, µ𝑘 and static friction, µ𝑠

Theory
Static friction is friction between two or more solid objects that are not moving relative to each other.
The coefficient of static friction, typically denoted as 𝑢𝑠 , is usually higher than the coefficient of
kinetic friction. The static friction force must be overcome by an applied force before an object can
move. The maximum possible friction force between two surfaces before sliding begins is the product
of the coefficient of static friction and the normal force: 𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 = µ𝑠 𝐹𝑁 . When there is no sliding
occurring, the friction force can have any value from zero up to 𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 . Any force smaller than 𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥
attempting to slide one surface over the other is opposed by a frictional force of equal magnitude and
opposite direction. Any force larger than 𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 overcomes the force of static friction and causes sliding
to occur. The instant sliding occurs, static friction is no longer applicable—the friction between the
two surfaces is then called kinetic friction.

Kinetic friction, also known as dynamic friction or sliding friction, occurs when two objects are
moving relative to each other and rub together. The coefficient of kinetic friction is typically denoted
as µ𝑘 , and is usually less than the coefficient of static friction for the same materials. The friction force
between two surfaces after sliding begins is the product of the coefficient of kinetic friction and the
normal force: 𝐹𝑘 = µ𝑘 𝐹𝑁 .

Equipment
Wooden block, weight hanger, weight, metre ruler, spring balance, string, wooden runway,
sandpaper, aluminium foil.

Procedure
General Procedure
The mass of wooden block was determined on an electronic balance and recorded in the laboratory
report. The surfaces of the wooden runway and the wooden block were cleaned so they are free from
dust and other contaminants. The wooden block was placed horizontally on the wooden runway and
string was used to tie between the hangers of both the wooden block and the spring balance, so they
are attached to each other. An operator applied a pulling force that increases slightly until there were
sudden movements of the wooden block and the reading of the spring balance at that exact point was
recorded. This procedure was repeated by adding multiple weights (50g, 100g, 150g, 200g) and the
𝑓
coefficient of static friction was calculated by using 𝜇𝑠 = 𝑁𝑠 .. For kinetic friction, an operator applied a
pulling force that increases slightly until the wooden block is moving at a constant velocity. The
reading of the spring balance when the block was moving at constant velocity was recorded. This
procedure was repeated by adding multiple weights (50g, 100g, 150g, 200g) and the coefficient of
𝑓
kinetic friction was calculated by using 𝜇𝑘 = 𝑁𝑘. All of the results obtained were recorded and
tabulated.
Research Project Report

Types of surfaces
The general procedures were repeated by using different surfaces such as aluminium foil and
sandpaper.

Surface area
The general procedures were repeated by placing the wooden block in a vertical position to provide a
small surface area and the surface area in contact with the wooden runway was calculated. The
results provided were then compared with the results obtained when the wooden block was placed in
a horizontal position on the wooden runway.

Inclined Plane
The wooden block was placed in its original position (horizontal position) on the wooden runway that
was inclined. The degree of inclination of the runway was then calculated using its height and length
ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
and by applying 𝑡𝑎𝑛 = . The general procedure was then executed.
𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ

Sandpaper

Aluminium Foil

Wooden Runway

Metre Ruler

Spring Balance

Weight(s) & Weight Hanger

Wooden Block

String

Diagram 1.1
Research Project Report
Results
*Assume tension force as static / kinetic forces.
Type of surface
Placement: Horizontal (Area in contact = [17.5*7.8]cm = 136.5cm2)

Wooden surface
Mass, 𝒎 /kg Force (Static), 𝑭𝒔 /N Force (Kinetic), 𝑭𝒌 /N
0.25 2.20 1.20
0.30 2.80 1.40
0.35 3.00 1.80
0.40 3.40 2.20
0.45 3.80 2.60
Table 1.1

Aluminum foil
Mass, 𝒎 /kg Force (Static), 𝑭𝒔 /N Force (Kinetic), 𝑭𝒌 /N
0.25 1.50 0.90
0.30 1.70 1.00
0.35 1.80 1.10
0.40 2.00 1.20
0.45 2.10 1.30
Table 1.2

Sandpaper
Mass, 𝒎 /kg Force (Static), 𝑭𝒔 /N Force (Kinetic), 𝑭𝒌 /N
0.25 4.00 2.30
0.30 4.70 2.90
0.35 5.60 3.30
0.40 6.50 3.90
0.45 7.30 4.30
Table 1.3
Surface Area (In contact with surface)
Horizontal Placement
Area: 136.5cm2

Refer to Table 1.1

Vertical Placement
Area: [7.8 * 8.0] cm = 62.4cm2
Mass, 𝒎 /kg Force (Static), 𝑭𝒔 /N Force (Kinetic), 𝑭𝒌 /N
0.25 2.20 1.20
0.30 2.70 1.30
0.35 3.10 1.70
0.40 3.50 2.10
0.45 3.80 2.70
Table 1.4
Research Project Report
Inclined Plane
Height: 6cm Length: 100cm
ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 6
Degree of inclination: tan−1 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = tan−1 100 = 3.43°
Horizontal Placement (on Wooden Surface)
Mass, 𝒎 /kg Force (Static), 𝑭𝒔 /N Force (Kinetic), 𝑭𝒌 /N
0.25 2.00 1.00
0.30 2.60 1.20
0.35 2.80 1.30
0.40 3.00 1.90
0.45 3.20 2.30
Table 1.5

Analysis
Conversion of mass, 𝑚 into Normal Force, 𝐹𝑁 formula:
(Mass * 9.81) N

Calculation of Coefficient of Static Friction, µ𝑠 formula:

𝐹𝑠 = µ𝑠 𝐹𝑁

𝐹𝑠
µ𝑠 =
𝐹𝑁

Calculation of Coefficient of Kinetic Friction, µ𝑠 formula:

𝐹𝑘 = µ𝑘 𝐹𝑁

𝐹𝑘
µ𝑘 =
𝐹𝑁

Type of surface (Horizontal Placement)

Wooden surface
Normal Force, 𝑭𝑵 /N Coefficient of Static Friction, Coefficient of Kinetic
µ𝒔 /N Friction, µ𝒌 /N
2.45 0.90 0.49
2.94 0.95 0.48
3.43 0.87 0.52
3.92 0.87 0.56
4.41 0.86 0.59
Average 0.89 0.53
Table 2.1
Research Project Report
Aluminum foil
Normal Force, 𝑭𝑵 /N Coefficient of Static Friction, Coefficient of Kinetic
µ𝒔 /N Friction, µ𝒌 /N
2.45 0.61 0.37
2.94 0.58 0.34
3.43 0.52 0.32
3.92 0.51 0.31
4.41 0.48 0.29
Average 0.54 0.33
Table 2.2

Sandpaper
Normal Force, 𝑭𝑵 /N Coefficient of Static Friction, Coefficient of Kinetic
µ𝒔 /N Friction, µ𝒌 /N
2.45 1.63 0.94
2.94 1.60 0.99
3.43 1.63 0.96
3.92 1.66 0.99
4.41 1.66 0.98
Average 1.64 0.97
Table 2.3

Surface Area (In Contact)

Horizontal Placement: Total surface area (in contact) of 136.5cm2 on wooden surface.
Refer Table 2.1

Vertical Placement: Total surface area (in contact) of 62.4cm2 on wooden surface.
Normal Force, 𝑭𝑵 /N Coefficient of Static Friction, Coefficient of Kinetic
µ𝒔 /N Friction, µ𝒌 /N
2.45 0.90 0.49
2.94 0.92 0.44
3.43 0.90 0.50
3.92 0.89 0.54
4.41 0.86 0.61
Average 0.89 0.52
Table 2.4
Research Project Report
Inclined Plane
Horizonal placement on wooden surface without inclination.
Refer Table 2.1

Horizontal placement on wooden surface with a degree of inclination of 3.43°

Normal Force, 𝑭𝑵 /N Coefficient of Static Friction, Coefficient of Kinetic
µ𝒔 /N Friction, µ𝒌 /N
2.45 0.82 0.41
2.94 0.88 0.41
3.43 0.82 0.38
3.92 0.77 0.48
4.41 0.73 0.52
Average 0.80 0.44
Table 2.5

Discussion
In this experiment, three different scenarios were considered to calculate the coefficient of
both static and kinetic friction which are types of surfaces, surface area in contact and
inclined plane. Through these experiments, factors that affect or do not affect the coefficient
of static and kinetic friction were also obtained. Multiple trials were made in every
experiment to ensure the coefficient obtained were consistent throughout the experiments.
Kinetic friction occurs when two objects rubs each other which refers to the wooden block
and the surface in this experiment while static friction occurs when two objects or more that
are not moving and are in contact. For kinetic friction, the amount of force required was
measured when the wooden block was moving in a constant velocity while for static friction,
the amount of force required was measured at that exact point when the stationary wooden
block moves.

Types of surfaces
In general, types of surface affect the overall frictional force applied to an object and this is
mainly caused by the coefficients of kinetic and static friction. Different type of surface has
different coefficients and the smoother the surface is, the lower the coefficient of both static
and kinetic friction whereas the converse is also true. It should be noted that the coefficient
of kinetic friction is more likely to be higher than the coefficient of static friction in most
cases. In this experiment, 3 different types of surfaces were used: Wooden surface,
Aluminum foil & Sandpaper. As expected, the coefficients of both static and kinetic friction
were different on these 3 surfaces. Wooden surface acted as the control experiment and the
wooden block were placed horizontally on the wooden surface. Based on the experiment,
wooden surface provided a coefficient of static friction, µ𝑠 , of 0.89N and coefficient of kinetic
friction, µ𝑘 , of 0.53N; Aluminium foil provided a coefficient of static friction, µ𝑠 , of 0.54N and a
coefficient of kinetic friction, µ𝑘 , of 0.33N; Sandpaper provided a coefficient of static friction, µ𝑠 , of
1.64N and coefficient of kinetic friction, µ𝑘 , of 0.97N. Through analysis, it can be seen that sandpaper
provided the highest coefficient of both kinetic and static friction as sandpaper is considered as a
rough surface which consists of high frictional force. Aluminium foil provided the lowest coefficient of
both kinetic and static friction out of the 3 surfaces as aluminium foil is considered a smooth surface
which consists of low frictional force. Wooden surface provided coefficients of kinetic and static
friction that were in between aluminium foil and sandpaper. This signifies that wooden surface is not
Research Project Report
as rough as sandpaper but at the same time, not as smooth as aluminium foil. Thus, the frictional
force acting on the wooden block on wooden surface is not as high when compared to sandpaper but
when compared to aluminium foil, the frictional force acting on the wooden block on the wooden
surface is definitely higher than the aluminium foil surface. Multiple trials were made to ensure
consistent values of coefficients. However, based on the tabulation of data and results, the
coefficients were not entirely consistent throughout the trials. Thus, this means that some
experimental errors have occurred.

Surface area (in contact)

In this experiment, attempts were made to find out if the amount of surface area of the
wooden block that was in contact with the surface affects the frictional force or in this case,
the coefficients of static friction and kinetic friction. Based on the formula for the calculation
of frictional force (static & kinetic), 𝐹𝑘/𝑠 = µ𝑘/𝑠 𝐹𝑁 , static friction or kinetic friction is determined
by the coefficient of the respective friction and the normal force applied only. Thus, in theory, surface
area that are in contact should not affect the total amount of frictional force that are acting on the
wooden block in this experiment. Thus, to prove such theory, the wooden block was placed in both
horizontal position and vertical position which the horizontal position provides larger surface area
(136.5cm2) that was in contact while the vertical position provides smaller surface area in contact.
(62.4cm2). In comparison, both positions provided the same coefficient of static friction, µ𝑠 .
Which were 0.89N while the coefficient of kinetic friction, µ𝑘 , obtained had a minimal
difference, with the horizontal position providing 0.53N and vertical position providing 0.52N.
(Difference: ±0.01N) This experiment proved the theory to be correct to a certain extent as
there were experimental errors that occurred since the coefficient of kinetic friction of both
the vertical position and horizontal position, µ𝑘 , obtained was not exactly the same. The value of
coefficients obtained throughout the trials were not consistent as well which signifies the presence of
experimental errors.

Inclined plane
With an inclination of the surface, the force of gravity is not perpendicular to the surface.
Thus, in theory, when the degree of inclination is increased, it should decrease the overall
normal force which decreases the frictional force as well. In other words, the wooden block
should slide more easier when the surface is inclined as there is less frictional force acting on
it. In this experiment, a slight inclination of 3.43° was applied to the surface. A comparison
was made between the results of the coefficients of both static and kinetic friction on the
wooden surface without inclination and with inclination. Based on the results, without
inclination, the coefficient of both kinetic and static friction obtained are 0.53N & 0.89N
respectively; with inclination, the coefficient of both kinetic and static friction obtained are
0.44N & 0.80N respectively. In comparison, the values of coefficients obtained with
inclination were lower which proves the theory to be true. Although the experiment was
successful, there were still experimental errors that occurred as based on the tabulation of
data, the coefficients obtained throughout the trials were not consistent which might
potentially affect the calculation of coefficients of kinetic and static friction.

Experimental Errors
Since this experiment is conducted by human beings and not machines, errors are bound to
occur and one of which was parallax error. Parallax error occurs when the placement of an
operator’s eye position was not placed directly perpendicular to the reading of the
measurement. In this experiment, an operator was required to observe the reading of the
Research Project Report
spring balance to determine the kinetic and static forces and the operator might have
observed the reading with an inappropriate manner, which resulted in inconsistent
coefficients of kinetic and static friction. To overcome this, the eye position of an operator
must be placed in a correct manner so accurate readings can be obtained and to minimize
any errors in the data obtained.

Another experimental error that occurred was human reaction time. Reaction time plays a
big factor that will affect the data obtained in this experiment. The operator was required to
observe the reading of the spring balance at the exact point where the stationary wooden
block had sudden movements (for static friction) which requires a quick reaction to
determine the value of the force. If the operator has a high reaction time, the value obtained
might not be as accurate since the reading of the spring balance quickly resets to its initial
value once the operator stops applying a pulling force to it. Thus, to minimize this error or to
reduce the reaction time of the operator, one must perform multiple test trials before
conducting the experiment to familiarize himself with the procedure. The operator must
ensure that he or she is in best condition to perform the experiment such as being awake and
clear and not being tired or exhausted to obtain the most precise and accurate reading
possible.

The third experimental error is the non-uniformity of the block surface from one end to
another. Since the surfaces used was not entirely uniform, the kinetic and static force
obtained varies from each trial to another, which resulted in inconsistent coefficients values
being calculated. There were bumps or scratches on the wooden runway/board which
resulted in a rougher surface for some areas of the wooden runway/board. Thus, this might
explain why on certain trials the coefficients calculated were higher or lower and not
constant throughout the trials. To overcome this experimental error, an operator must make
sure the equipment used is in perfect condition or in this case, the surfaces used must be
completely uniform and flat. There must be no damages such as scratches or holes on the
surface used to ensure that accurate results can be obtained.

Conclusion
Through the experiment, it is known that types of surfaces affect the coefficients of both
kinetic and static friction. Smoother surfaces have lower coefficients of kinetic and static
friction while rougher surfaces have higher coefficients of kinetic and static friction. It is also
proved that surface area in contact has no affect on the coefficients of kinetic and static
friction. Lastly, inclined plane allows the normal force of an object to be reduced, resulting in
decreased frictional force, which results in lower coefficients of kinetic and static friction
when compared to a non-inclined surface.

References
Holzner. S. (n.d.). ‘How surface area affects the force of friction’. Dummies. Retrieved from
https://www.dummies.com/education/science/physics/how-surface-area-affects-the-
-of-friction/

Bacon. C. (2017, June). ‘How to Do a Friction Science Experiment’. Owlcation. Retrieved from
https://owlcation.com/stem/how-to-do-a-friction-science-experiment
Research Project Report
Galy. E. (n.d.). ‘Static and Kinetic Friction’. Academia. Retrieved from
https://www.academia.edu/18618514/12_Static_Friction_LAb_6

Dangol. T. (n.d.). ‘Friction, Types of Friction & Co-efficient of Friction’. Sciencetopia. Retrieved
from https://www.sciencetopia.net/physics/friction-type-coefficient