Friction is a force that opposes motion. Physicists distinguish between static friction, which acts to keep a body at rest, and kinetic friction, which acts to slow down its motion once it begins moving. The force exerted by static friction (Fs) is proportional to the perpendicular force exerted by a body against the surface along which it's moving, which is called the normal force (FN). The proportionality factor is called the coefficient of static fraction, which is usually denoted by the Greek letter mu with a subscript s (µs). The mathematical relation is:
This coefficient depends on the characteristics of the two surfaces that are in contact with each other. It has been tabulated for a number of different materials. If you can't find µs for the materials you're using, you can determine it with a simple experiment.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)
To find the minimum coefficient of static friction between two materials, construct an incline plane from one of the materials and place a body made from the other material on it. Increase the angle of the incline until the body starts to slide. The tangent of the angle is the coefficient of friction.
Use an Inclined Plane
A simple way to determine µs is to place the object in question on an inclined plane made of the same material as the surface you're studying. Gradually increase the angle of the incline until the object starts to slide. Record that angle. You can immediately find µs because it is equal to the tangent of the angle. Here's why:
As you raise the incline, the force of gravity acting on a body of mass m has a horizontal and a vertical component. Applying Newton's Law to each of these just before the body starts to move, you find the horizontal component (which acts in the x-direction) to be Fx = max. The same is true in the y direction: Fy = may.
The acceleration in the x-direction, max, is equal to the force of gravity, which is mass times acceleration due to gravity (g) times the sine of the angle (ø) formed at the fulcrum of the incline. Since the body is not moving, this is equal to the opposing force of static friction, and you can write:
The y-direction component of force, may, is equal to the cosine of the angle times the mass times the acceleration due to gravity, and this must equal the normal force, since the body isn't moving,
Remember that Fs = µsFN. Substitute for Fs in equation (1):
and use the equality to equation (2) to substitute for FN:
The term "mg" cancels from both sides:
References
Tips
- The calculations are more involved if there are slopes involved, including tugging by a rope that makes an angle to the floor.
About the Author
Chris Deziel holds a Bachelor's degree in physics and a Master's degree in Humanities, He has taught science, math and English at the university level, both in his native Canada and in Japan. He began writing online in 2010, offering information in scientific, cultural and practical topics. His writing covers science, math and home improvement and design, as well as religion and the oriental healing arts.