Measuring Friction on a Sloping Track

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on setting up a lab experiment to measure the force of friction between a ball and a flexible, sloped track. The key equations mentioned include the force of friction formula and the net force equation, which relate to the ball's motion down the track. One participant suggests measuring the ball's mass, timing its descent, and using distance equations to calculate acceleration, but questions how to relate this to the force of friction without knowing the coefficient. Clarification is requested regarding the track's shape and the specific measurements that can be taken during the experiment. The conversation emphasizes the need for more data on the track's geometry and measurement constraints to accurately determine friction.
Oatmeal11
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1. I need to set up a lab. The goal is to find the force of friction between a track and a ball. The track is flexible and tilted so that it slopes down. Looking at it from the side, the track looks like half of a U. The ball is released from the top of the track and somehow I have to figure out the friction.


2. Force of friction=u* normal force
Fnet=ma
delta y =Voy*t+1/2at^2



]3. If I just found the mass of ball, roll it down the track and time it, then plug into the distance equation to solve for acceleration, then take that into the f=ma equation, would that give me the answer? I am not sure how the force of friction is related to the net force, or how to find this without knowing the coefficient of friction.
 
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Can you please elaborate on what the track looks like? Is it a parabola? Is its function known?
Give us also a bit more data on what you're allowed to measure, and when? Say the height of the ball at any given moment, or its position, velocity, what are you restrictions/limitations?
Daniel
 

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