Measuring coefficient of friction of very light item

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around measuring the coefficient of friction between a lightweight wheel and a ping pong table. Participants explore different methods for obtaining this measurement, including the use of spring scales and alternative approaches involving tilting the table.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a precise spring scale to measure the force required to move a 4-gram wheel, estimating the force in the thousands of pounds.
  • Another participant suggests tilting the table to find the angle at which the wheel begins to slip, arguing this method does not require a scale and is effective regardless of the object's weight.
  • Some participants agree that tilting the table is a straightforward method, but note that this approach measures the static coefficient of friction, not the dynamic coefficient.
  • A participant expresses concern that the wheel will slide rather than roll when the table is tilted, indicating a preference for measuring rolling friction.
  • Another participant proposes timing how long it takes for the wheel to slide down a sloped plane to measure the dynamic coefficient, but questions the availability of highly precise spring scales.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that measuring the coefficient of friction can be done without a scale, but there are differing opinions on the best method to use and the implications of measuring static versus dynamic coefficients. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the most effective approach and the precision of available measuring tools.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the precision of spring scales and the conditions under which the wheel will slide or roll, indicating that assumptions about the behavior of the wheel on the table may affect the measurement outcomes.

pyroknife
Messages
611
Reaction score
4
I'm trying to measure the coefficient of friction between a wheel that weighs about 4 grams and a ping pong table. Are there accurate spring scales I can use to measure the force it takes to move the wheel?

I'm estimate the force required to move the wheel to be in the thousands POUNDS (.00xlb)
 
Science news on Phys.org
its easy and you don't need a scale. all you need to do is tilt the table until the object starts slipping, then find the angle. With that information you can determine the friction coefficient.

And it doesn't matter how light the object is.
 
Yea, I do agree with Curl.. This is really easy...
 
Curl said:
its easy and you don't need a scale. all you need to do is tilt the table until the object starts slipping, then find the angle. With that information you can determine the friction coefficient.

That will measure the static coefficient of friction, but not the dynamic coefficient.

And in any case the "wheel" will probably roll down a sloping table instead of sliding.
 
If I tip the table the wheel will slide on its side not roll down which is what I need. I just want to know if there is a spring scale that can measure a force to like 5 decimal places for a lb.
 
if you want to measure dynamic coefficient its still easy, time how long it takes for the object to slide down some sloped plane.

and I don't know of any "spring scales" that are so precise.
 

Similar threads

High School Coefficient of friction in sea water
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
Graduate Tank tracks treads friction coefficient
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
10K
High School Questions about momentum and force as well as normal force/friction
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
5K
High School The Effect of Linear and Rotational Motion on Measured Weight
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
1K
Coefficient of Friction when Normal Force is Reduced [HS]
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Question about finding static friction coefficient
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Coefficient of friction in regards to a clamp force
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Coefficient of friction between wrench jaws and cylinder
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Experimentally determining tire friction coefficient
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
How to use the coefficient of kinetic friction?
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
4K