Using the Arduino for the experimental determination of a friction coefficient by movement on an inclined plane

Abstract

In this study, a simple Arduino-based experiment was designed to examine the movement of the object on an inclined plane and to define the kinetic friction coefficient. The experimental data on the movement of a small wooden block on the inclined plane formed from the hardwood was gathered with the help of an ultrasonic distance sensor. On the plane inclined at different angles, the wooden block was allowed to shift into its own position to obtain position–time curves. The acceleration of the object and then the kinetic friction coefficient were determined experimentally. The position–time curves obtained are in the expected character and the friction coefficient value is in the expected value range. Hardware and software are sufficient to examine movement on an inclined plane, and therefore a laboratory can be adapted to the context of teaching and learning.