| Search our quarter-million Q&As |
Home of the finishing HOTLINE since 1989
-----Friction experiment for 4th grader
2005
All,
I'm writing this for my 4th grader.
I am interested in minimizing two different friction drivers. The first is minimizing the force required to initiate movement from a standing stop to rolling. And minimizing "rolling friction" . The characteristics of the problem are:
light load 5 ounces or less. curved surfaces, imagine an axle and wheel problem key driver is to minimize the friction betwee a steel
"axle" and a plastic "wheel".
Wear characteristics are not a big issue, but constancy of performance over 20-30 trials is important.
The drive is minimum friction.
Thanks
Andy
hobbyist - Ocean City, New Jersey
The smoother the materials, the lower friction you will see. If oil is allowed, it will make a tremendous difference compared to surfaces that are well cleaned and oil free. Set up a level surface like a table top, checking it with a level, and use a light, calibrated spring (like a light 'fish scale' available at a tackle store) to see how much force is required to get a weight sitting on four such wheels rolling and keep it rolling.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
2005
Sorry! Finishing.com is temporarily Read-Only.
Ted Mooney is retiring but I have several offers to take it over.
We're working hard to make sure we find it the best new home.