The relationship between angle and static coefficient

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between the angle of an incline and the static coefficient of friction. Participants explore methods to demonstrate this relationship, particularly through experimental setups involving forces acting on an incline.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the method of measuring the angle at which static friction is overcome and consider introducing additional forces to analyze their effects. Questions arise about the role of a pulley system and the implications of using a spring system in the context of static friction.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants sharing ideas about experimental setups and questioning the assumptions behind their approaches. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between applied forces and the static friction coefficient, but no consensus has been reached on a definitive method.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential confusion regarding the forces involved, particularly the distinction between the total gravitational force and its components, as well as the role of friction in their diagrams.

Solweak
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Homework Statement
Hello, I'm very confused about one of my lab activities. It asks "Design a procedure to find the coefficient for static friction of a mass at different angles." But from what I've read online there should be no relationship as you find the static friction from when it begins to slide and the tangent of that angle. Do I just say there is no relationship?
Relevant Equations
tan(θ) = μs
I know you find the static friction of an incline by raising it until it begins to move and then measure the tangent of that angle, but I'm not sure how I'm supposed to show a relationship or create a procedure based off that.
 
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One possibility would be to introduce another (known) force parallel to the slope. I'll leave you to come up with options for that.
 
haruspex said:
One possibility would be to introduce another (known) force parallel to the slope. I'll leave you to come up with options for that.
If we had a pulley and string would that work? Also sorry I'm a little confused but what does the spring system show us?
 
Solweak said:
If we had a pulley and string would that work? Also sorry I'm a little confused but what does the spring system show us?
By having another force in there you can get the slip/no slip boundary at a different angle. Knowing the applied force, you can still calculate the static friction coefficient. You should find it comes out the same, of course, but the scientific spirit says it is worth checking.
 
haruspex said:
By having another force in there you can get the slip/no slip boundary at a different angle. Knowing the applied force, you can still calculate the static friction coefficient. You should find it comes out the same, of course, but the scientific spirit says it is worth checking.
Oh okay, that makes more sense, also if we didn't apply some force wouldn't the applied force be the downhill force from the normal force? So if we didn't do anything the applied force would just be mgsin(a)
e-body-force-diagram-block-on-frictionless-incline.png
 
Yes. But your diagram omits friction, and you should not show the whole mg as well as a component of it. Just show mg or both components.
 
Oh okay thank you so much for your time
 

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