Friction Lab Investigation: Changing the mass

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around an investigation into the factors affecting friction, specifically focusing on a lab experiment involving a wooden block on a flat surface. The original poster describes increasing the mass of the block and observing the corresponding increase in the force required to initiate movement.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss how to measure the force of friction and whether the recorded force to overcome friction corresponds to the actual frictional force. There is a focus on distinguishing between static friction and the force required to initiate movement.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with some participants providing clarifications about static friction and its role in the experiment. There is an exchange of insights regarding the measurements taken and their implications for understanding friction.

Contextual Notes

Participants are exploring the definitions and measurements related to static friction, with some noting the distinction between the force required to overcome friction and the actual force of friction itself. The context includes recent lab experiences and the challenges of measuring friction accurately.

Gerard77
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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?
 
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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.
 

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