Use the formula: FsMAX=μsFN
if you want to do it experimentally, get the two different surfaces, and angle one until the object on top starts moving. take the tangent of the angle that starts the objects sliding past one another, and that is your coefficient of static friction.
Experiments with Friction: Measuring Static Sliding Coefficient of Friction with a Ramp
by Ron Kurtus (revised 3 November 2005)
The goal of this experiment is to measure the static sliding coefficient of friction between two surfaces by using a ramp and measuring its inclination.
The idea is that if you put a solid object on a ramp and start to tilt the ramp upward, there is a point where the object will start to slide. That is the angle where the force of gravity is strong enough to overcome the static friction.
By simply knowing the angle or the inclination, you can then calculate the static sliding coefficient of friction between the two materials. You can cover the ramp with various materials to determine different coefficients.
MaterialsYou can use different combinations of materials to measure their coefficients of friction. For example, you can use a:
There are many combinations that you can measure.
ExplanationAlthough the equation to find the static coefficent of friction is very simple, the principles behind it require some knowledge of Mathematics.
Physical science backgroundThe coefficient of friction between two surfaces is a number that determines how much force is required to move an object that is held back by friction when the two sufaces are pressed together.
The friction equation is Fr = fr x N, where Fr is the resistive force of friction or the amount of force required to overcome friction, fr is the coefficient of friction between the two surfaces, and N is the normal or perpendicular force pushing the two surfaces together. If the force pushing to surfaces together is gravity, then N equals the weight of the upper object.
Static and kinetic frictionFor a sliding object, the static coefficient of friction results in the force required to start the object moving. Once the object is sliding at a steady rate, the kinetic coefficient of friction results in the force required to keep the object moving at that velocity.
Using rampA clever way to determine the static coefficient of friction is to start an object sliding down a ramp. The component of gravitational force that causes the object to just start moving is equal to the resistive force to keep the object stationary. That is the static force of friction.
Note that you must record what the two surfaces are. The coefficient of friction is always for two surfaces. For example, you could find the friction between wood and steel, wood on wood, rubber on wet pavement, and so on.
Knowing the force required to overcome the friction and the force pushing the object onto the ramp, will allow you to determine the static coefficient of friction.
MathematicsThe coefficient of friction is calculated using trigonometry. Consider the triangle in the drawing below.
C is the length of your ramp, which is inclined at an angle a and is at a height of A. The length of the sides of the triangle are A, B, and C. The relationship between the sides are the trigonometric functions sine of angle a, which is abbreviated sin(a), cosine of a or cos(a) and tangent of a or tan(a).
Since sin(a) = A / C and cos(a) = B / C, then sin(a) / cos(a) = tan(a).
Components of gravityWhen an object that weighs W is on a ramp, the force of gravity can be divided into components in perpendicular directions.
Normal force componentThe force pushing the object against the surface of the ramp is reduced because of the incline. The normal force N = W x cos(a), as show in the picture below. In the case where there is no incline, a = 0 degrees and N = W.
Component down the rampThe component of gravity is pulling the object along the ramp is F = W x sin(a).
Object starts to moveNow when the angle a become steep enough, the object starts to move and F = Fr, which is the force of static friction required to start the object moving.
But you know that Fr = fr x N.
And for the object on the ramp, N = W x cos(a).
Thus W x sin(a) = fr x W x cos(a).
Using a little Algebra, we get fr = sin(a) / cos(a) or fr = tan(a).
Finally, since tan(a) = A / B, we have fr = A / B.
So, all you need to know is the angle the object starts to slide or the lengths of its sides, and you can easily determine the coefficient of friction between the two surfaces.
Experiments with Friction:by Ron Kurtus (26 January 2001)
Friction is a resistive force caused when two objects are in contact with each other. There are some simple experiments to determine the force of friction and the coefficient of friction.
The coefficient of friction is a number that determines how much force is required to move an object that is held back by friction.
BackgroundThe equation for this is Fr = fr x N, where Fr is the resistive force of friction or the amount of force required to overcome friction, fr is the coefficient of friction between the two surfaces, and N is the normal or perpendicular force pushing the two surfaces together. If the force pushing to surfaces together is gravity, then N equals the weight of the upper object.
Static and kineticFor a sliding object, the static coefficient of friction results in the force required to start the object moving. Once the object is sliding at a steady rate, the kinetic coefficient of friction results in the force required to keep the object moving at that velocity.
Two surfacesNote that you must record what the two surfaces are. The coefficient of friction is always for two surfaces. For example, you could find the friction between wood and steel, wood on wood, rubber on wet pavement, and so on.
MethodOne way to determine the coefficient of friction between two surfaces is to pull on an object, using a spring scale that is used to measure weight. If you lay an object on another surface and then pull it, you can determine the amount of force required to move the object.
The coefficient is then fr = Fr / W, where W is the weight of the upper object.
First you pull slowly until the object just starts to move. Record the force and calculate the static coefficient of friction.
Then drag the object along at a steady velocity. Record the force on the scale and calculate the kinetic coefficient of friction.
In coefficient of static friction, force is directly proportional to normal reaction, that means:
F=M N (consider M as coefficient of static friction)
now,
M=F/N
If you'll see the unit, then unit of F is Newton and unit of N is also Newton.
Therefore,
M= newton/newton
Therefore, Coefficient of static friction is unitless.
Limiting friction is just the maximum static friction force (if you go over that point static friction becomes kinetic friction).Let f = frictional force,c = coefficient of frictionN = Normal forcefmax = cN = limiting frictionAlthough the term coefficient of limiting friction is not really used, I'd assume it would just be "c" (it's a coefficient after all). So they would be the same.If you meant is coefficient of friction the same as limiting friction, than the answer is no. Coefficient of friction is just the "c" in the equation. Limiting friction however is the product of the coefficient and the normal force.
Fs=mu*FNFs=Static Friction mu=coefficient of static friction FN=Normal force
0.45
Wood, or any other material, could be used to introduce static friction to a system. The choice of material(s) depends on how much static friction the system requires. Each material has its unique coefficient of friction.
Millions of classroom experiments would indicate that there is, in fact, a difference, but it is most likely caused by dirt, oil, and imperfections on the surfaces. When care is taken to ensure the surfaces are uniform and clean, the difference between static and dynamic friction disappears.
This coefficient of static friction is needed to find the frictional force between a body and a surface on which body has to move. If u (mu) is the coefficient of friction then uR gives the frictional force between moving body and surface. There is no unit for coefficient of friction. Here R is reaction which equals to the weight of the body
static friction is higher in most cases, if you're talking about the coefficient of static or kinetic friction
With what material? Coefficient of friction is for two materials.
the slope of static friction & normal force represents "coefficient of friction' which is constant for a particular surface
The coefficient of static friction is always larger because it takes more initial force to move an object that is at rest.
static usully greater then kinetic
simple one is: max friction = coefficient of static friction*normal force
When objects are at rest on each other (i.e. static friction) their microscopic irregularities can settle into each other - and can also form electrostatic bonds.
Over 9000!
Limiting friction is just the maximum static friction force (if you go over that point static friction becomes kinetic friction).Let f = frictional force,c = coefficient of frictionN = Normal forcefmax = cN = limiting frictionAlthough the term coefficient of limiting friction is not really used, I'd assume it would just be "c" (it's a coefficient after all). So they would be the same.If you meant is coefficient of friction the same as limiting friction, than the answer is no. Coefficient of friction is just the "c" in the equation. Limiting friction however is the product of the coefficient and the normal force.
Fs=mu*FNFs=Static Friction mu=coefficient of static friction FN=Normal force
human joints are an excellent example. they have a static friction coefficient of .01 μs and a kinectic friction coefficient of .003 μkanother good example would be waxed wood on dry snow (as in a snowboard on a ski slope) this has a static friction coefficient of .04 μsHope this helped!