Mu of the Shoe
Objective:
To measure the coefficient of friction between your shoe and various surfaces.
Directions:
Part 1: Massing a shoe
1. Hang a shoe from a force scale.
2. Use the force of gravity the shoe is experiencing to calculate its mass.
Part 2: The actual Lab
1. Use the force meter to determine the necessary Applied Force to just barely move the shoe.
2. Take at least three runs and use the average.
3. Repeat the process for 2 other surfaces.
Surface Carpet
Trial Mass of Shoe Force of Normal Force Measured Force of μ
Gravity Force Friction
1 0.25 kg 9.8 2.45 .90 N 1.72 0.7
2 0.25 kg 9.8 2.45 .80 N 1.22 0.5
3 0.25 kg 9.8 2.45 .70 N .70 N 0.5
Average 0.25 kg 9.8 2.45 .80 N .80 N 0.5
Surface Tile
Trial Mass of Shoe Force of Normal Force Measured Force of Friction μ
Gravity Force
1 0.25 kg 9.8 22.4 N 1.00 N 1.00 N .045
2 0.25 kg 9.8 22.4 N 1.00 N 1.00 N .045
3 0.25 kg 9.8 22.4 N .60 N .60 N .028
Average 0.25 kg 9.8 22.4 N .867 N .867 N .039
Surface Rocks
Trial Mass of Shoe Force of Normal Force Measured Force of Friction μ
Gravity Force
1 140g 9.8 m/s^2 14.29 N .60 N .60 N .042
2 140g 9.8 m/s^2 14.29 N .60 N .60 N .042
3 140g 9.8 m/s^2 14.29 N .80 N .80 N .056
Average 140g 9.8 m/s^2 14.29 N .667 N .667 N .047
Analysis:
1. Make a graph of your average Ff versus FN for each condition for each shoe. Use different symbols for
different shoes. Add a best fit line. Label each line and calculate the slope of each line.
2. What does the slope of your line represent?
The line represents the average force of friction applied to the shoe across each surface.
3. According to your graph, what is the equation that relates f and N? Use the appropriate symbol for your slope.
You take f sub fr and divide it by f of n; essentially, you take the friction force and divide it by the normal
force.
4. Is the force you measured equal to the force applied to the shoe? Explain.
The two forces are equal and this is because measured force measures how much force is applied on the shoe
when you pull it. You are applying force making it the same as the applied force.
5. Draw a free body diagram of the shoe
6. Do the different surfaces have different coefficients of friction? If so, which has the largest coefficient?
Do you agree with this finding? Explain.
The concrete has the largest coefficient. I disagree with this finding because I expected carpet to have the
largest coefficient. This is because the carpet appears to be more textured, thereby offering more opportunities for
the shoe to catch and slow down.
7. Why is the force of friction equal to the force measured on the scale?
The force measured on the scale is equal to the friction force because they are proportional and the friction
force just overcomes it to make the shoe move.
8. Did you determine the coefficient of static friction or kinetic friction? Explain.
The coefficient of kinetic friction was determined. Sliding the shoe means movement, which is kinetic.
Therefore, we would use the equation for kinetic friction to determine the coefficient.
9. If you were to find the coefficient of kinetic friction between your shoe and the physics room floor,
would you expect it to be higher or lower than the average coefficient you determined in the lab? Justify
your answer.
I would expect the coefficient to be similar to the average coefficient determined in the lab because the
procedures would still be relatively the same, which would result in similar data. Additionally, there is an
appropriate number of trials that can provide the average while also not overwhelming the statistics.
10. Think of and explain a procedure to find the coefficient of kinetic friction.
First measure the mass of the shoe as that is equivalent to the normal force. Then, use the spring scale to just
move the shoe across a surface and record the applied force. The applied force would be equal to the force of
friction. Using the kinetic friction formula, rewrite it to solve for the coefficient. Substitute the averages of the
values of your data to solve for the mu.