The compact bench top unit has a sturdy aluminium base plate, non-slip feet and central vertical pillar. Pivoting on this base is a ground steel plane which can be locked in any angular position between ±45°, indicated on a semi-circular protractor scale.
A number of composite slider trays are supplied, each having a pair of different materials attached. You simply turn over the trays to test one or the other. Each tray in turn is attached to a weight hanger and weights are added until the tray just begins to slide. The slider trays also allow for additional weight to be added changing the experimental scope.
The hanger cord pulls the tray up the sloping steel plane whilst passing over a pulley and bearing. The bearing reducing friction to ensure accurate results. The experiment may also be used as an exercise in equilibrium of forces, determining the force required to move the tray along the plane giving the coefficient of friction.
