Friction online experiment

Which shoe has the best grip?

This interactive is best viewed in full-screen mode. Press F11 or FN+F11 on Windows or CMD+CTRL+F on Mac to enter full-screen mode.

Which shoe has the best grip?

This special online experiment will help you to answer this question.
First, click the play arrow to see Ravi, Bubbles and Kate in a short
animation about shoes and friction.

You’re going to carry out an online investigation to find out which shoe has the best grip.
Score enough points and you’ll get to see a photo gallery.

First, make a prediction.

Which shoe do you think has the best grip?

Click ‘Select’ to choose a shoe.

  • a. Trainer

  • b. School shoe

  • c. Walking boot

  • d. Flip-flop

On this screen you will use comparative and fair testing to find out which shoe has the best grip.
To help you think about this, click 'True' or 'False' for each statement.

  • a. It will still be a fair test if the four shoes are made from different
    materials.

  • b. You will need one of each type of shoe to carry out the experiment.

  • c. To test grip, you will have to compare how each shoe grips the same
    surface.

You score:

Here are three ways the test could be set up. Look at them carefully then
click 'Select' on the one which you think is the fairest test.

  • a. Find out how hard it is to rub each shoe against a wall.

  • b. Find out how much force is needed to pull each shoe across a table top.

  • c. Find out how far each shoe slips along a floor after it has been dropped down a ramp.

You score:

In this test you're going to measure the force needed to pull four different shoes across a table top.

To help you think about making this experiment a fair test, answer each question by clicking 'True' or 'False'.

  • a. A different table and force meter must be used to test each shoe.

  • b. You could also test by attaching a bag to the shoe with string, letting the bag drop over the table edge and then putting weights in the bag.

  • c. It will be a fairer test if the four shoes are about the same weight.

You score:

In good science investigations, measurements are taken to find out what is
happening. How will you do this for the experiment?

Click 'Select' to pick the way you think would work best.

  • a. Use the reading on the
    force meter.

  • b. Time how long it takes to pull each shoe across the table.

  • c. Weigh each shoe.

You score:

The force meter will tell us how much force is needed to move the shoes. Which reading should you use? Click ‘Select’ to pick one answer.

  • a. Use the reading of how much force it takes to start the shoes moving.

  • b. Use the reading of how much force it takes to keep the shoe moving
    across the table.

  • c. Use the reading of how much force it takes to pull the shoes quickly.

You score:

You're ready to start the test.
Here's what to do next, in order to find out which shoe has the best grip.

  • 1. You are going to test the trainer first. Drag it to the left of the table-top.

  • 2. Click 'Attach' to attach the shoe to the force meter

  • 3. Click the hand holding the force meter to test the trainer. You can see the reading on the force meter on the scale below the table.

Question

The experiment has now started!

Do you need to record the reading on the force meter?

Click 'Yes' or 'No'

You score:

It is essential to write down results during the experiment. You’ll have to type them into a chart or table of some sort. Click the magnify icon to view each table, then click ‘Select’ to choose which one you think is best.

  • Table A

  • Table B

  • Table C

You score:

You have done a good job so far. You need to record the first result in the table.
Click the white box in the table and type in the force needed to pull the trainer.

Table B

Shoe Force needed to pull the shoe across a table (N)
trainer
school shoe  
walking boot  
flip-flop  

You score:

Now we’ll test the school shoe. Drag the school shoe to the left side of the table.
Then click ‘Attach’ to tie it to the force meter and click on the hand to start pulling.

Table B

Shoe Force needed to pull the shoe across a table (N)
trainer 14
school shoe
walking boot  
flip-flop  

Interesting!

That’s less force than the trainer needed. Click on ‘Continue’ to record your result.

You score:

Now we will test the walking boot. Drag the walking boot to the left side of the table.
Then click ‘Attach’ to tie it to the force meter and click on the hand to start pulling.

Table B

Shoe Force needed to pull the shoe across a table (N)
trainer 14
school shoe 10
walking boot
flip-flop  

Interesting!

Did you think the grip of the walking boot would be better than the school shoe? Click ‘Continue’ to record your result.

You score:

Now we’ll test the flip-flop. Drag the flip-flop to the left side of the table.
Then click ‘Attach’ to tie it to the force meter and click on the hand to start pulling.

Table B

Shoe Force needed to pull the shoe across a table (N)
trainer 14
school shoe 10
walking boot 12
flip-flop

Interesting!

That’s quite a small force. Click on ‘Continue’ to record your result.

You score:

With this experiment, it helps to show results as a graph or chart.

Which is the best type of graph or chart to show your results?

Click 'Select' to pick the best one.

  • a. Bar chart

  • b. Line graph

  • c. Pie chart

You score:

Your bar chart needs a title, numbers and labels on the axes. Click the ‘See results table’ button to see your results table

Click the magnify icon to see each chart in close-up and compare each one with your results table.

Click ‘Select’ to choose the chart which shows the result of your experiment correctly.

  • Bar chart A

  • Bar chart B

  • Bar chart C

You score:

Nearly finished! You just need to decide what the results tell us about
shoes and their grips - this is called making a conclusion.

  • First, look at the patterns in the results table and the bar chart by clicking the magnify icon.
  • When you’ve looked at the results table and bar chart, click ‘True’ or ‘False’ for each question below:
  • a. The walking boot needed
    the greatest force to pull it.

  • b. The flip-flop had the
    poorest grip.

  • c. The trainer had the poorest
    grip.

You score:

Click on the statement that matches your results.

  • a. The shoe with the best grip was the trainer.

  • b. The shoe with the best grip was the walking boot.

You score:

Well done: you’ve carried out an experiment and found evidence that the trainer you tested has a stronger grip than the other shoes. Here are three final questions to think about – maybe you can discuss them with your friends or teacher. See what Kate and Ravi have to say about them.

  • a. Was this a fair test?

  • b. Should the test have been repeated?

  • c. Why did the trainer have a better grip that the other shoes?

You're clearly a top scientist so click the 'Next' button to see the photos of gripping - friction - in action or click 'Finish' to go back to the start.

You needed a minimum of 21 out of 26 to see the photos of gripping (friction) in action.
Click on 'Try again' to have another go.

Gripping things is very important in all sorts of ways, in everyday life. Here are some examples of gripping - friction - in action.

You're clearly a top scientist so click the 'Next' button to see the photos of gripping - friction - in action or click 'Finish' to go back to the start.

You score: