Calculating Friction with Free-Body Diagrams
Grade 10th Grade · Physics · 80 min
What's Included
Learning Objective
I can draw a free-body diagram and use it to calculate the coefficient of friction.
Warm-Up Video
CrashCourse · 10:59
Friction: Crash Course Physics #6
Guided Notes
3 key concepts
- 1
Kinetic friction slows objects down as they slide, while static friction must be overcome to start an object's movement.
- 2
The force of kinetic friction depends on the coefficient of kinetic friction (μₖ) and the normal force (F_N), and is calculated as F_friction = μₖ * F_N.
- 3
When an object is on a ramp, the normal force is equal to (mg) x (the cosine of the angle), where mg is the weight of the object.
Practice Questions
12 questions · Multiple choice & Short answer
Exit Ticket
Quick comprehension check
“A 10 kg box is placed on a horizontal surface. A force of 49 N is required to start the box moving. Draw a free-body diagram of the box, labeling all forces. Then, calculate the coefficient of static friction (μₛ) between the box and the surface. Show your work.”
Complete Lesson Package
Get all 3 ready-to-use resources:
