Materials needed: small match box, pebbles, coins (pennies are best), string (ab
ID: 1836948 • Letter: M
Question
Materials needed: small match box, pebbles, coins (pennies are best), string (about 24 inches long), small plastic bag, 8 or 10 round sticks (pencils, Tinker Toys, dowels), small scale or balance Follow these steps. 1. Fill the match box with pebbles. Weigh the matchbox with the pebbles inside. Record that weight. 2. Tie the string to the box. Allow the string to hang over the edge of the table. 3. Tie the other end of the string to a corner of the plastic bag, leaving an opening to put in coins. 4. Add coins one by one until the box is pulled off the table. 5. Count and record the number of coins and the weight of the bag with the coins in it. 6. Lay the round sticks on the table about 1 inch apart and about 2 inches from the edge of the table. 7. Put the match box on the rollers farthest from the edge of the table. 8. Now add coins one by one to the bag until the box is pulled off the table. 9. Count and record the number of coins and the weight of the bag with the coins in it. 10. Repeat the experiment. Determine your margin of error if your results varied. For accuracy, repeat the experiment again if desired. 11. Using the equation for coefficient of friction in the text above, determine the coefficient of friction for the matchbox in each experiment. Include this data in your summary. Summarize your findings in a short report of 150 words. Include your hypothesis, observations, data, and conclusions. Be sure to answer the questions below as well as including your own findings and thoughts in your summary. How many coins did it take to pull the bag off the table without the rollers (pencils)? With the rollers? Why didn't the box slide off the table before you put enough coins in the bag? What happened differently when you put the rollers underneath the matchbox? Why? What factors caused a margin for human error in this investigation? What was your margin of error when you repeated this experiment? What was the coefficient of friction for the matchbox? Would the coefficient vary if you tied the string to a similar object of different mass? What about a different object with the same mass? Explain. What did you learn from this investigation? Be thoughtful in your answer.
Explanation / Answer
In order to move the matchbox with pebbles on the table, The weight of coins added to the string has to be greater than the status friction acting between the matchbox with pebbles and table. Earlier while the matchbox wasn't moving, the static friction between the matchbox and table is equal to the weight of the coins bag. When rollers were placed underneath the matchbox, the friction force acting between the rollers and table became the rolling friction force which is in general lesser than static friction. And have lesser coins will be needed for this .