Page 2
+
ward
'
s
science
5100 West Henrietta Road • PO Box 92912 • Rochester, New York 14692-9012 • p: 800 962-2660 • wardsci.com
Find materials for this activity at wardsci.com.
Discover more free activities at wardsworld.wardsci.com
Step-by-Step Procedure:
Student activity will be broken in two parts
Part 1
Student Prompt: design an experiment using the material list given so you can calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction between
your socks and the floor.
Part 2
Students perform the experiment according to their design. They make measurements as needed and perform their calculation of
coefficient of kinetic friction.
Expected Results:
Students should have the following in their design:
• A sketch of the scenario
• A free body diagram of the person running/skidding
• Kinematics equation used to solve for initial velocity and acceleration
• Newton's second law to solve for the coefficient of friction
After performing the experiment:
• The students should make distance and time measurement to calculate the initial velocity before the skidding starts
• Students should use that initial velocity and skidding distance to calculate the acceleration
• Then they can plug in the acceleration in Newton's second law to solve for coefficient of kinetic friction
Teaching Notes:
• Remind students to bring their extra pair of socks the day before
• Provide students with kinematics and dynamics equations in case they do not remember
Pucks to Socks (continued)
