Coefficient of static friction graph

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In the experiment, the user measured static friction by dragging a mass and recording the applied force until movement occurred. When graphed with normal force (Fn) on the x-axis and applied force (Fs) on the y-axis, the expectation is to see a straight line through the origin, indicating a proportional relationship. The slope of this line represents the coefficient of static friction. If the graph does not show this linearity, it suggests potential errors in the experiment or data collection. Understanding this relationship is crucial for analyzing static friction in introductory physics.
SwAnK
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hey I did this experiment where I dragged a mass by a scale until it moved to find the static friction. Then weight was added to the mass and the process reapeated.

My question when graphed and the mass or Fn on the x-axis and the applied force or Fs on the y-axis should it not plot a straight line through 0,0, which owuld be the coeffiecent of static friction?? I am just wanting to know because either i messed up the graph or got messed up results during the experiment.
thanx for your time
 
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SwAnK said:
My question when graphed and the mass or Fn on the x-axis and the applied force or Fs on the y-axis should it not plot a straight line through 0,0, which owuld be the coeffiecent of static friction??
Yes, it should roughly be a straight line through the origin. Can you explain why this is true ? And what property of this line gives you the coeff of static friction ?

PS : This is introductory physics. Next time, post such questions in the other section.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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