Question

a group of students conducted an experiment to measure the coefficient of static friction. their data is shown in the table below. what is their average coefficient of static friction?
round your answer to the nearest hundredths place.

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the average angle

The formula for the average of a set of numbers \(x_1,x_2,x_3,x_4\) is \(\bar{x}=\frac{x_1 + x_2+x_3+x_4}{n}\), where \(n = 4\) (the number of trials).
\(x_1 = 32\), \(x_2=30.6\), \(x_3 = 30.3\), \(x_4=32.8\)
\(\bar{x}=\frac{32 + 30.6+30.3+32.8}{4}=\frac{125.7}{4}=31.425\)

Step2: Use the relationship \(\mu_s=\tan\theta\) (for the coefficient of static friction \(\mu_s\) and the angle of inclination \(\theta\) in the experiment of measuring static - friction coefficient)

\(\mu_s=\tan(31.425)\)
Using a calculator, \(\tan(31.425)\approx0.61\)

Answer:

\(0.61\)