Results
The results of this experiment are shown in Fig. 1.
The coefficients of friction shown on the graph are the
weighted averages of six different runs at each of the
four surface temperatures, where each run consisted
of 15 consecutive trials at each surface temperature.
There is a statistically significant difference between
the coefficients of kinetic friction for Teflon and stainless
steel as the coefficient value increased from room
temperature to 400oF.
This experiment can be modified by using any
number of different materials that slide down the incline.
Because the effect of temperature is not included
in the discussion of friction in common textbooks
and physics courses, this makes for a nice inquiry activity
that in high schools may help satisfy local, state,
and national inquiry standards.