Science Lab Experiment: Force of Friction
Demonstration: Force of Friction
Object: To determine some characteristics of the force of friction.
Materials: wooden blocks, spring balance, table surface, wax paper,
fine and coarse sand paper, ball bearings, string
Diagram:
Method: Three wooden blocks were set on top of each other on the surface
of a table. A string was tied to the bottom block and connected
to a spring balance. The force needed to overcome the friction
of sliding these blocks over various surfaces was measured, as
illustrated in diagram 1. The force needed to overcome friction
was compared to the force of gravity, as shown in diagram 2.
Data:
222 g
Table Top 50 g
Wax Paper 30 g
Sand Paper (fine) 42 g
Sand Paper (coarse) 62 g
Double Sand Paper 160 g
Bearings 0.5 g
Observations: It was observed that when rough surfaces were used,
friction increased. The force of gravity does not depend on
the type of surface used.
Conclusions: Friction is a force which depends on the surface used. Gravity
is related to the weight of the object.
