Question

1. what did you find for the coefficient of static friction? is it larger than the coefficient of kinetic friction?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall friction - coefficient concept

The coefficient of static friction ($\mu_s$) is the ratio of the maximum static - frictional force ($F_{s,max}$) to the normal force ($N$), i.e., $\mu_s=\frac{F_{s,max}}{N}$. The coefficient of kinetic friction ($\mu_k$) is the ratio of the kinetic - frictional force ($F_k$) to the normal force ($N$), i.e., $\mu_k = \frac{F_k}{N}$.

Step2: Compare values

In general, the maximum static frictional force is greater than the kinetic frictional force for the same two surfaces in contact. Mathematically, $F_{s,max}>F_k$ when the normal force $N$ is the same. Since $\mu_s=\frac{F_{s,max}}{N}$ and $\mu_k=\frac{F_k}{N}$, we can conclude that $\mu_s>\mu_k$.

Answer:

In general, the coefficient of static friction is larger than the coefficient of kinetic friction. However, without specific experimental data, we cannot give a numerical value for the coefficient of static friction. But we can say that $\mu_s>\mu_k$ based on the nature of static and kinetic friction.