Engineering Friction and Grip
Students engineer surfaces to control and modify friction and grip as they design and build a tabletop game that uses sliding friction as the main component of its mechanics. Students first observe surface roughness on a variety of surface materials using a digital microscope and explore how engineers use surface modifications to manage friction. They then investigate and compare the friction and grip on multiple surface materials using an inclined plane. Applying the concepts of surface roughness and surface modification, students work as engineering teams to create a tabletop game that uses sliding friction as a main game mechanic. Students go through the steps of the engineering design process, from ideation to prototype development. Students test their own games to balance relevant parameters (surface roughness, speed, board design, game rules, etc.) to improve their prototypes. Students review the prototypes of their peers and offer feedback for further improvements.
Student prototypeCopyright Mariam Nouri
Learning about surfaces to control and modify friction and grip is integral to engineering as it enables engineers to optimize performance, enhance durability, ensure safety, and innovate across a wide range of applications and industries. Mechanical engineers frequently encounter challenges related to friction and grip in the design of machines, mechanisms, and moving parts. Understanding how surface properties influence friction allows mechanical engineers to optimize the performance and efficiency of mechanical systems. For example, in automotive engineering, engineers may modify tire tread patterns to enhance grip on different road surfaces, improving vehicle stability and safety.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe the qualitative effects of surface roughness on friction, grip, and motion.
- Explain ways that surfaces can be modified to control friction, grip, and motion, and qualitatively predict the results of such modifications.
- Explain the role of engineers in managing friction.