Coefficient of Friction Lab Design
Due to recent school accidents and insurance hikes a local shoe company wants a method for determining the coefficients of friction (both static and kinetic) between their shoes and the new high school floor to show that their shoes are not the reason for all the falls that have been occurring. They have asked you to devise a way using any or all of the following items to quickly, efficiently and effectively determine the coefficient of friction:
Spring scaleMeter stick
Triple- beam BalanceStop watch
Set of MassesRubber Bands
StringBinder Clips
Graduated CylinderWooden Blocks
1. Describe your setup in detailed so it can be re-created in the lab.
2. Provide a complete set of procedures that could be followed by a lab assistant.
3. Conduct the lab on your own pair of shoes and provide sample calculations that could be followed by the lab assistant.
4. Discuss why your shoe’s coefficient of friction is high or low based on its physical properties.
5. Provide a discussion of what acceptable values would be for the coefficient of friction to prevent slippage but also provide enough grip to prevent sticking based on your results.
6. Each group member’s shoe is slightly different and serves some purpose (looks, athletics, activities, etc.). Discuss if the coefficients of friction for each shoe match the purpose of the shoe not only for your group, but for all the conference participants. Explain.
Insurance Conference Notes Group # ______
1. How do you feel your part of the presentation went? Explain.
2. Discuss why your shoe’s coefficient of friction is high or low based on its physical properties.
3. What did your groups decide would be acceptable values for the coefficient of friction? Explain.
4. Provide some examples of a shoe’s function and its coefficients from your conference members. Do the two concepts seem to match? Explain.
5. What was some positive feedback you received on the presentation? What were some improvements that could be made?
Insurance Conference Notes Group # ______
1. How do you feel your part of the presentation went? Explain.
2. Discuss why your shoe’s coefficient of friction is high or low based on its physical properties.
3. What did your groups decide would be acceptable values for the coefficient of friction? Explain.
4. Provide some examples of a shoe’s function and its coefficients from your conference members. Do the two concepts seem to match? Explain.
5. What was some positive feedback you received on the presentation? What were some improvements that could be made?
Coefficient of Friction Lab Design Rubric
Category / Developing (1) / Meets (2) / Proficient (3)Lab Setup (x1) / No specific list of materials provided and their arrangement is poorly explained. / Specific materials are provided but their arrangement is explained, but not in detail. / Specific materials are provided and how to arrange them to begin lab is clearly explained.
Lab Procedure, static (x2) / Procedure steps are unclear, missing or poorly organized. / Procedure steps are provided, but missing relevant information or some minor steps. / Procedure steps are clearly provided with details of what to do, how and what measurements to take.
Lab Procedure, kinetic (x2) / Procedure steps are unclear, missing or poorly organized. / Procedure steps are provided, but missing relevant information or some minor steps. / Procedure steps are clearly provided with details of what to do, how and what measurements to take.
Lab Calculations (x1) / Calculations are missing or done incorrectly. / Calculations are provided and correct, but are missing key steps or parts such as equations or units. / Calculations are provided and correct with equations and units that could easily be followed.
Coefficient of Friction Presentation and Discussion
Category / Developing (1) / Meets (2) / Proficient (3)Presentation (x1) / Presentation provides little visual interest, is hard to follow or does not present all required information. / Presentation presents all required information and includes a few helpful visuals. / Presentation presents all required information and is clear to follow with the help of visuals and instructions.
Group Discussion, acceptable values (x1) / Group discussion shows little or no sign of discussion of coefficients and its relationships to grip. / Group discussion shows signs of moderate discussion of coefficients and its relationships to grip, but not their connection to the lab. / Group discussions shows clear signs of discussion of coefficients and its connection to grip and the purpose of the lab.
Group Discussion, purpose versus value (x1) / Group discussion shows little or no sign of discussion of properties of shoes versus coefficients. / Group discussion shows signs of moderate discussion of properties of shoes versus coefficients and a comparison amongst different shoes. / Group discussion shows clear signs of discussion of specific properties of shoes and their relation to coefficients.
Feedback (x1) / There is no feedback or generic feedback. / Specific feedback is provided, but only positive or negative. / Specific positive and negative feedback is provided.