 Load dependence of kinetic friction

Changing the added mass while retaining the same contact pair and sliding speed tests whether a constant coefficient of kinetic friction is a useful model. Compute $N=(m_{\mathrm{block}}+m_{\mathrm{added}})g$ for each level horizontal run, and plot the mean sliding force vertically against normal force horizontally. The constant-coefficient prediction is a straight line through the origin; its slope is ${\mu }_k$. This extracts a ratio from several loads rather than relying on one reading.

The apparatus sketch identifies the contact pair and horizontal pull used by the cited laboratory procedure. The plotted line and points are the original stipulated ${\mu }_k=0.30$ model from coefficient of kinetic friction, not laboratory data. The two model points giveIn actual measurements, a linear regression $\overline{F}=b+{\mu }_{k}N$ can expose an unexplained intercept $b$. A nonzero intercept calls for checking the gauge zero, other resisting forces and the contact model; forcing the line through zero can hide those problems. Conversely, constant ratios within measurement error support the approximation only over the loads, speeds and surface conditions tested. A load sweep alone cannot establish independence from contact area or sliding speed; those require separate controlled variations.