Force Of Friction
by Herman Gray, hgray@beau.k12.la.us

Content Area(s)
Science

Grade Level(s)
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 

Overview
This is a science experiment applying friction, and Newton's First, Second, and Third laws of motion.

Software
DataLink Software for the handheld

Technology
1. Two boards of the same mass.
2. Palm handheld computer
3. Force Sensor
4. Data Link for probeware or datalogger
5. String to attach to the board with a tack for the force probe to pull
6. Scissors to cut the string
7. Tacks to hold the string onto the board
8. Data Link software
9. Two different surface areas (1 must be smooth, the other should be much rougher)

Objectives
1. Tlw Describe Sliding friction.
2. Tlw Apply Newton’s First Law of Motion.
3. Tlw Explain Newton’s Second Law of Motion.
4. Tlw Explain Newton’s Third Law of Motion.

PS-H-E1
PS-H-E3
SI-H-B4

Procedures
Find the force needed to overcome the friction of one board on a smooth surface, then find the force needed to overcome the friction of two boards by stacking one board on top of the other, on the same smooth surface. Note the
measurements, what do you notice. Do the experiment again on a rough surface which has
more friction. What do you notice? Apply sliding friction, Newton’s First law, second Law, and third law of motion to this experiment and explain each.

First, attatch a tack to one of the boards and a short piece of string. This is for you to attatch the force probe to the board.

Other Supporting Material

Submitted on: 8/1/2004 4:33:54 PM