Friction Investigation Physics Coursework

Difficulties that we occurred during the Experiment:

During the experiment we had a few difficulties. One difficulty was that we had to always 'fling' the elastic band with the same force to make it a fair test and this was difficult because we were not always entirely sure that we were flinging it with the same force. Also we had to make sure that the surface of the floor or table we were using always stayed the same and that we did not move, this was also to ensure the experiment was safe because the smoothness of the surface will affect the friction that occurs.

Safety:

We had to make sure that safety was a priority we did this by ensuring we always wore safety goggles and behaving in a sensible manner with the elastic bands.

Prediction:

I predict that the heavier the weight becomes the less distance that it will go when it is flung from the elastic band. I predict this because I think that the heavier the weight the more friction that will be caused hence slowing the weight down and meaning that it travels slower.

Results

Weight

Distance

Average

50g

32

50g

58.5

50g

35

00g

71

00g

85

00g

88

50

52

50g

56.5

50g

46

200g

37

200g

45

200g

42

Conclusion:

My prediction that the heavier the weight the less far that that it will travel was proven correct by my results. This means that the heavier the weight the more friction it will create as the force it has on the surface is stronger.

Force Results

Force (N)

st

2nd

3rd

Average

0.1

3.5

3.7

3.3

3.5

0.2

3

5

4

4

0.3

26

27

27

26.5