Download Friction Lab

What a Drag
Friction Lab
Physics
Name____________________________________
Partner(s)_______________________________________
Targets:
- I can define friction and describe the major factors that influence the size of the
force of friction acting on an object that slides on a surface.
- I can recognize that friction forces always reduces the net force on objects.
Materials Needed:
4 wood blocks
1 Newton Spring Scale
Surfaces: cork, cardboard, foam, carpet, rubber, etc.
Strategy:
Before you begin the lab, here are a few things you and your group need to think
about.


What factors do you think affect the size of frictional force? In other words, what
could you do to these blocks to increase or decrease the amount of friction
experienced while the blocks are pulled along a surface?
What variables can be tested in order to gather data for the amount of friction
which can affect the blocks as they are being pulled along the surface?
After your group discussion, go ahead and explore combinations such as different
sides, different surface areas, different surfaces, stacking, etc. You will have about 10
minutes to try as many combinations as possible.
Class discussion:
Your teacher will ask you to share aloud what your group has tried. Write down what
you tried below and any ideas you obtained from the other groups.
1
Experiment:
You and your group will design a series of controlled experiments. You must do at least
2 experiments. Before you conduct your experiment, make sure to define your variables
and your constants.
Experiment 1:
Constants:
Title:
Variables
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
Experiment 2:
Constants:
Title:
Variables
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
Experiment 3:
Constants:
Title:
Variables
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
Experiment 4:
Constants:
Title:
Variables
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
2
Data Analysis:
How is friction affected by the variable that you tested?
Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Experiment 3
Experiment 4
Notes from Class Discussion:
VARIABLE TESTED
EFFECT ON THE FRICTIONAL FORCE
3