Question

From your measurements and analysis, and your understanding of the maximum static frictional force, can you come up with an equation that describes how fsmax depends on the normal force? Hint: Is fsmax proportional to the normal force? Is fsmax proportional to the normal force squared? etc.Equation: What is the proportionality constant? What are its units?

Answer 1

• The constant of proportionality is the ,coefficient of static friction, 0.2

,

• The ,equation, is:

`f_(s\max )=0.2\cdot F_N`

Step-by-step explanation

The maximum static frictional force is proportional to the normal force,

`f_(s\max )=k\cdot F_N`

The constant of proportionality is called the coefficient of static friction,

`f_(s\max )=\mu_s\cdot F_N`

To find it, we have to use the measurements of the forces. The coefficient of static friction is the quotient between the maximum static frictional force and the normal force,

`\mu_s=(f_(s\max))/(F_N)`

For each of the measurements we have, rounded to the nearest tenth,

Hence, the coefficient of static friction is 0.2, and the equation is

`f_(s\max )=0.2\cdot F_N`

The constant of proportionality is unitless because it is from the quotient of two magnitudes with the same unit.