MECH

343
Theory of Machines

Experiment 4:
Mechanical Oscillator For Measurement Of Friction
Coefficient




















February 10th, 2011





Aurelien Boudier 9274669
Nikhil Barua 9586059

1. Objective

The objective of this lab is to determine the coefficient of kinetic friction of three
different materials, Steel, Brass and Aluminum when being rolled on an oscillating
table.

2. Introduction


The apparatus consists of two counter rotating steel wheels that are driven by a
1/20 HP electric motor, which can operate at different speeds. Using a stopwatch,
the time taken for each specimen to do ten oscillations is determined. Ten
oscillations are chosen in order to have a representative panel of values.

The wheel are rotating counter to each other, therefore the rod oscillates from one
wheel to other due to a change in the center of mass of the rod.

3. Procedure

The same procedure is used for each material.
First the length between the two wheels is measured. This length is constant.

A motor speed is selected. Once the wheels are rotating, the rod is placed on them
and starts oscillating. A visual reference point is chosen in order to define the range
of an oscillation. The stopwatch is started when the rod begins its first oscillation,
and is stopped after the 10th one. The time is recorded on the lab sheet.

4. Results

It was assumed that the wheels were made from Steel.

The frequency is obtained by knowing that it is the inverse of the period T.

1
f=
!

With T being the time taken for 10 oscillations, the number found is divided by 10.
For the Steel at 40rpm is, the period is:

. 0953
!=
= 0.00953
10

The frequency is therefore:

f= !.!!"#$ = 1.049 Hz

The coefficient of kinetic friction can be obtained using the equation

2!" !
!=
!
!

With L being the distance between the two wheels, and g the gravity constant.
Here ! = 0.142! and ! = 9.81!/! ! (for all materials)

Which yield for the Steel at 40rpm,

2! 0.142
!=
1.049 = 0.315
9.81

Material of the
Time for
average
CASE
rod
Speed
10osci
Frequency
40
0.0953
1.049
0.315
1
Steel
60
0.0941
1.063
0.323
40
0.0897
1.115
0.355
2
Brass
60
0.0875
1.143
0.373
40
0.0828
1.208
0.417
3
Aluminum
60
0.0841
1.189
0.404

References:
http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2005/steel.shtml
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/friction-coefficients-d_778.html
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/friction_coefficient.htm


Comparing the experimental values with the theoretical values,

%
experimental
average
k th
Difference
0.315
0.319
0.40
20.34%
0.323
0.355
0.364
0.30
21.38%
0.373
0.417
0.410
0.47
12.69%
0.404

k th
0.4
0.3
0.47

5. Discussion


During the experiment, a lot of play was noticed in the apparatus. The wheels were
not well centered and therefore they were shaking.

In addition, the way of counting the oscillation is very subjective, as well as when to
start timing.
Furthermore, the original position of the bar on the wheel will change the amplitude
of the oscillations, making the measurements even more subjective.

The results found were about 20% off from the theoretical value. This can be
explained by the different factors mentioned earlier. The fact that this experiment
requires a lot of human interaction makes it very error prone. Nevertheless, the
values found are not dramatically off from the theoretical values.

6. Conclusion


There is a rather important disparity between the experimental and theoretical
values, of about 20%, which can be explained by the experimental procedure which
is very error prone due to the different human interventions that take place during
the procedure.
It was nevertheless possible to conclude that the number oscillations depends on
the material used, therefore the coefficient of friction of two materials relative to
each other, as well as the distance between the two wheels centers.


7. References

http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2005/steel.shtml
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/friction-coefficients-d_778.html
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/friction_coefficient.htm