Hanesh Kumar A/L Ramakrishnan 2 Semangat

The Effect Of The Contact Surface On Frictional

Force
AIM : To study of the different contact surfaces on frictional force.

PROBLEM
STATEMENT : What is the effect of different contact surfaces on frictional force?

HYPOTHESIS : The rougher the contact surface, the greater the frictional force?

VARIABLES : (a) that is kept constant : The type of wooden block, The weight of wooden
block

and the type of spring balance.

(b) that is manipulated : The type of contact surface.

(c) that responds : The magnitude of frictional force.

Material : A wooden block, spring balance, sandpaper

STEPS : 1) The apparatus was set up as shown in the diagram.

2) The wooden block was placed on a table. It was pulled until it begins to
move.

3) The reading on the spring balance was recorded in the table provided.

4) The experiment was repeated on the surface of the floor and on the
sandpaper.

Observation :

Contact Surface Table Floor Sandpaper

Hanesh Kumar A/L Ramakrishnan 2 Semangat

Magnitude of frictional force(N) 3 1.4 5

ANALYSIS : 1) Define frictional force operationally.

Frictional force is the force that give reading in the spring balance.

2) Draw an arrow ( ) on the above diagram to show the direction of the

action
frictional force.

3) State the direction of the frictional force.

Opposite to the motion of the object.

4) What type of force is exerted by the surface of the table against the
wooden
block?
Frictional Force.

5) Based on the readings in the table above, draw a bar chart to show the
readings of the spring balance with the different surfaces.
Hanesh Kumar A/L Ramakrishnan 2 Semangat

6) Between the table and floor surfaces, which gives a greater magnitude of
frictional force?
Table surface

7) Give an inference to your answer in (6).

The table surface is rougher than the floor surface.

8) Does the area of surface in contact influence the magnitude of frictional

force?
No.

9) (a) Give one other factor which influences frictional force.

The weight of the object.

(b) How does the factor stated in 9(a) influence frictional force?
The heavier an object, the greater the frictional force that acts.

CONCLUSION : 1) Is the hypothesis formed acceptable?

Yes.

2) What conclusion can be drawn from this experiment?

The rougher the contact surface, the greater the frictional force.

APPLICATION
OF IDEA : The road surface is coarse or rough so as to increase friction between the
of road and the tyre of vehicles. This prevent vehicles from skidding
especially
on rainy days.

REFLECTION : Friction is needed to stop or slow down a moving vehicle.