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A force gauge reads the pulling force. For horizontal straight-line sliding at constant velocity, its reading equals the opposing kinetic friction magnitude, provided these are the only horizontal forces. For total supported mass $m$, including added loads, $N=mg$, so a mean sliding reading $\overline{F}$ gives ${\mu }_k=\overline{F}/(mg)$. The important readout is the sustained sliding force after the starting peak; the peak belongs to the static friction threshold.

The University of Mississippi's Experiment 6 uses a wooden block on a wooden plane, a triple-beam balance, added masses, and a dual-range 50 N force probe connected through LabPro to Logger Pro. Its procedure calibrates the probe with a $0.5\mathrm{kg}$ load on a hanger, entering the corresponding force in newtons, and measures the block's mass separately. With the plane horizontal, it starts with $0.5\mathrm{kg}$ on the block and pulls horizontally at constant speed. The recorded force trace has a starting peak; the procedure selects the subsequent constant-force interval and takes its mean. It repeats with $0.5\mathrm{kg}$ increments up to $3\mathrm{kg}$ added, then plots sliding force against normal force to estimate the coefficient of kinetic friction from the slope.^[ref]

For a replication, check the gauge's zero with the string slack and its response to known gravitational weights; zeroing alone does not check its scale. Keep the plane level, the pull parallel to it, and the block face and track region consistent. Specify the contacting materials and whether the surfaces are dry, cleaned or lubricated; repeat runs to see whether debris or wear changes the sliding force. Verify constant velocity independently from position versus time, rather than assuming that a flat force trace proves zero acceleration. These are proposed measurement controls, not additional observations from the laboratory writeup. Record the selected interval, variation between runs and gauge resolution as sources of measurement error.