Friction Lab Investigation: Changing the mass

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on an experiment investigating the relationship between mass and friction using a Newton meter. Participants confirm that the force recorded to initiate movement is the force of static friction, which must be overcome for the wooden block to slide on a flat surface. The conversation highlights the importance of distinguishing between static friction and the force required to maintain motion. This understanding is crucial for accurately measuring frictional forces in physics experiments.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of static friction and its role in motion
  • Familiarity with Newton meters and their application in measuring force
  • Basic knowledge of experimental design in physics
  • Concept of unbalanced forces in mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of static and kinetic friction
  • Learn how to conduct friction experiments using different surfaces
  • Explore the mathematical equations governing frictional forces
  • Investigate the effects of surface area and material on friction
USEFUL FOR

Students conducting physics experiments, educators teaching concepts of friction, and anyone interested in the practical applications of Newton's laws in real-world scenarios.

Gerard77
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


We have to investigate a factor that affects friction. For my expiriment, I placed a wooden block on a flat surface, and increased the force pulling the object using a Newton meter until the block moved. I increased the mass and the force required to pull it increased.

Homework Equations


Since the block has to overcome friction, how can we measure the force of friction?

The Attempt at a Solution


I know that when it moves, it has overcome the force of friction and the forces are unbalanced. But how can we know the max frictive force for each mass?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF!

Hi Gerard77! Welcome to PF! :wink:
Gerard77 said:
Since the block has to overcome friction, how can we measure the force of friction?

That's exactly what the Newton meter does! …

it measures the force! :smile:​
 
So would the result I recorded for the force required to overcome friction be the magnitude of the force of friction?
 
We just did this lab around 3 days ago!

OT:
The force required to overcome friction is not the force of friction, it is the force of STATIC FRICTION. Which is the amount of friction needed for the object to move.
 
We were researching static friction, so that's great. thanks.
 

Similar threads

Calculating Force and Acceleration in a Two Block System with Varying Friction
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
Finding the work done by a block
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Newton's law problem: Pushing 2 stacked blocks on a horizontal table
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Friction problem of a block sandwiched between 2 surfaces
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
Two blocks kept side by side and friction between them
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Static Friction Required to Keep the System from Moving (Two Boxes)
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
What Determines the Minimum Mass of Block B for Movement on an Inclined Plane?
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
1K
How can I determine the instant the block overcomes static friction?
  • · Replies 61 ·
3
Replies
61
Views
3K
Understanding the Forces Behind Part B of the Graph
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Is friction really always related to the normal force?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K