Question

A student wants to determine the coefficient of static friction μ between a block of wood and an adjustable inclined plane. Of the following, the minimum additional equipment the student needs to determine a value for μ is

Answer 1

Answer:

A protractor to measure the angle of the inclined plane with the horizontal

Explanation:

The student needs to lift the free end of the adjustable inclined plane until the object barely starts sliding, and measure the angle at which such happens. At that point, the force of friction equals the component of the weight in the direction of the incline. That is:

$f=\mu\,* N = \mu * m g\, cos(\theta)$

and  $w_{//}= m\,g\,sin(\theta)$

Then  

$f = w_{//}\\\mu *\,m \,g\,cos(\theta) = m\,g\,sin(\theta)\\\mu = tan(\theta)$

and therefore, the coefficient of static friction is fully determined just by calculating the tangent of the angle that the incline forms with the horizontal.

Then the only extra instrument needed is a protractor to measure the angle.