Physics Friction Labs
Source/Author: Brian S. Potter-Racine, Science Department Chair
April 13, 2023
Shorecrest Upper School students in Mr. Potter-Racine's physics class worked on coefficients of static and kinetic friction labs.
In the static lab they identified at what angle an object begins to slide, then related that to the static friction force that was holding the object in place until that angle of elevation was reached. For the kinetic lab they used a recording app on their phones to determine how much acceleration is exhibited as an object slides down a ramp, and then used that acceleration to extract information about the coefficient of kinetic friction, which is proportional to the kinetic friction force that resists sliding.
In the static lab they identified at what angle an object begins to slide, then related that to the static friction force that was holding the object in place until that angle of elevation was reached. For the kinetic lab they used a recording app on their phones to determine how much acceleration is exhibited as an object slides down a ramp, and then used that acceleration to extract information about the coefficient of kinetic friction, which is proportional to the kinetic friction force that resists sliding.
