[EAT 103] APPLIED MECHANICS

Friction on an inclined plane

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(Sep-Dec 2015)

Introduction:
We encounter friction at almost all times during the day. Friction between our foot and
the floor helps us walk. In spite of its importance, friction is still not well understood.
However, empirical laws describe the friction between two surfaces. These laws are as
follows:
1. The ratio of the maximum frictional force and the normal force is a constant and equals the
coefficient of friction, , and depends only on the nature of the two surfaces in contact. I.e.:
(Frictional Force) / (Normal Force).
2. The coefficient of friction is independent of the area of contact.
3. The coefficient of kinetic friction k (the object is in motion) is lower than the coefficient of
static friction s (the object is stationary.)

We will first use the configuration shown in Fig. 1 to determine the coefficient of static
and kinetic friction between a few surfaces. Here, the normal force N = Mg, obtained by
balancing forces in the vertical direction on the block. Recall that the pulley only changes the
direction of force but does not change its magnitude. Balancing forces in the horizontal
direction, we obtain:
mg - N = 0.
Therefore, = m/M.

Next, we explore if there is a substantial change in if the surface on which the block
is sliding is at an angle to the horizontal. In this case the normal force N is not equal to Mg,
but rather to Mg cos. Balancing forces along the inclined plane when the block is about to
move up the plane, we obtain:
mg - N - Mg sin= 0 .
Substituting for N, we obtain:
= (m/M - sin)/cos .
(Note: When the block is about to move downwards, the direction of the frictional force is in
opposite direction and therefore you will have to modify the formula appropriately.)

Procedure:

Coefficient of Static Friction:

1. Select the wooden block and lay the block with its smooth edge in contact
with the plane.

2. Slowly increase the angle of inclination of the plane.

3. Note the angle of inclination max at the moment when the block first begins to
slide down the plane, and hence calculate the coefficient of static friction
(refer to Equation 1).

4. Repeat the procedure with the other side of the block that has been fitted with
a rough paper and with the brass block.
Coefficient of Kinetic Friction:

1. Measure the weight of the wooden block and lay with its smooth edge in
contact with the plane.

2. Connect the cord to the wooden block over the pulley, and attach the weight
container to the cord at the other end.

3. Set the incline plan to a predetermined angle such that the block is sliding
down the plane.

4. Add the weights into the container until the block begins to move up the plane
at a constant speed.

5. Repeat Steps 3 4 with another angle of plane inclination in order to

determine the average value for the coefficient of kinetic friction.

6. Repeat the procedure with the other side of the wooden block and with the
brass block.

Results and Discussion:

Block

Mass (g)

Brass
Wood

Angle of Friction

Static Friction

400
415

18
20

0.325
0.364

Block

Kinetic
Friction

Weight

Mass

Brass
Wood

18
20

2.45 N
1.96 N

0.327
0.150

3.924
4.071

400 g
415 g

Calculations:
The following formula will be used to get the coefficient of static friction:
s = tan
To get the kinetic friction we're going to use the following formula:

P = w(sin + k cos )

k =

PW sin
W cos

Where:
P = mass (kg x 9.81)
W = the weight of the object
Brass (0.4)x(9.81) = 3.924 N
Wood (0.415)x(9.81)= 4.071 N
The brass surface was smaller than the kinetic friction. And for the wood surface, the
value of the static friction was greater than the kinetic. The values obtained from the
experiment follows the force equations for each situation. In the static friction the block
started moving from the rest then it accelerated by rising the angle which means it needs more
force to move. For the kinetic friction, the block was moving in a constant velocity, means the
force on the x-axis was null.

Limitations:
There were many errors reported during the experiment. First, the inclined plane's
surface wasn't smooth enough that it stopped both of the wooden and the brass block many
times, we had to place the block in different regions of the plane for the block to start
responding/moving.
Another thing, the angle of friction was ok but it wasnt perfect, we can get accurate results
when there are advanced measuring equipments available.

Conclusion:
Different Materials have different friction coefficients and that's because of the
molecular arrangement on their surfaces. It also depends on the vertical applied forces and on
the smoothness of their surfaces