A new rolling friction coefficient measurement method based on the work-energy theorem

The rolling friction coefficient represents a characteristic parameter for the rolling motion. To determine the rolling friction coefficient, we propose a simple method based on the conservation of energy. The measuring setup includes the tools and materials that are simple and easy to obtain, such as the spring, ruler, and a small laboratory wheeled cart. In this paper, we have determined the rolling friction coefficient for several masses of the test carts and different lengths of spring compression. When the spring is compressed, its energy is directly proportional to the square of the length of the spring compression. The initial speed of the cart was determined using the law of energy conservation, and the length that the cart goes before stopping is measured with a ruler. The conclusion is that the value of the rolling friction coefficient is usually very small and that the mass of an object will affect the friction force but will not affect the rolling friction coefficient. Besides determining the rolling friction coefficient, this technique should help students comprehend the concept of friction easily.