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Hovercraft and the Coefficient of Friction

Measure the pulling force needed to slide a disc with and without an air cushion and calculate the coefficient of friction.

Grade 9ExperimentBuildScience OlympiadScienceEngineeringPhysicsEngineeringData AnalysisIntermediate60 to 90 min6 materialsAdult supervision required

What you'll learn

  • Define the coefficient of friction as friction force divided by normal force
  • Measure force with a spring scale or Newton meter
  • Compare friction with and without a cushion

Objective

Quantify how much an air cushion lowers friction by measuring pulling force and calculating the coefficient of friction.

STEM concepts

FrictionNormal forceAir cushionCoefficient of friction
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Materials and safety
Step-by-step instructions
Prediction, test sheet and results
Why does it work, challenge and project report

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