PHY03L-Physics for Engineers (Laboratory) Vectors

PHY03L Physics for Engineers (Laboratory)

EXPERIMENT NO. 3 ADDITION OF VECTORS

I. OBJECTIVE
To find the equilibrant and resultant of two or more known forces using a force table and graphical
method of adding force vectors and compare the results to that obtained by analytical method.

II. APPARATUS/MATERIALS:
Force table sets of masses, weight hangers, strings, protractor, cross-section graphing paper.

III. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Procedure (A): Finding the Equilibrant and Resultant of Two Known Forces using Force
Table
1. Ensure that the circular platform is horizontal. Use the leveling screws, if necessary, to make
the necessary adjustments.

2. Set up the vectors to be added on the force table ((Figure 2): F1 is 100
g at 0°, and F2 is 150 g at 120°. Note that the units of “force” are left F2
F
in grams; this will simplify your calculations and measurements. It is
not necessary to convert to Newtons!
I T
3. Attach two pulleys to represent the forces to be added, F1 and F2 with F1
their direction as indicated in Figure 2. The third pulley will represent
the equilibrant, used to balance the other two forces, so its position can Figure 2
be set approximately for now. Do not over tighten the pulley clamps! Feq

4. Place the ring with three strings over the center post, and pass each string over a pulley. Attach
a mass hanger to each string, and place additional mass on the two strings that will represent
the magnitudes of F1 and F2 (note that the hangers have a mass of 50 g).

5. Estimate the angle Ø as follows: Grab the third string (representing the equilibrant), and gently
pull the string while moving it left and right with respect to the table. Do so until the ring is
centered on the post. Set the third pulley to the position you determined, and hang the string
representing the equilibrant over.

6. Now place additional mass on the third string representing the equilibrant. Recall that this force
will balance the resultant force of F1 and F2. Adjust Ø and the amount of force as necessary,
making sure the strings pass straight over each pulley. Be sure to use the inner circle for your
angle measurements.

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7. The system is balanced (in a state of static equilibrium) when the ring is centered on the central
post. Record your measurements of force and angle Ø in the Data Table 3.1 when the system
is balanced.

8. Calculate the ‘measured’ value of θ=Ø –180° and record in the Data Table 3.1.

Procedure (B): Finding the Equilibrant and Resultant of Two Known Forces using
Analytical Method
9. Calculate Fx and Fy for each vector, then calculate the sum of the force along each axis. Use
these sums to calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector, R.

10. Calculate the angle Ø=θ+180°, which will be the angle of the equilibrant as measured on the
force table (make sure you understand why you add 180 to θ to get Ø) and record its value in
the Data Table 3.2.

Procedure (C): Finding the Equilibrant and Resultant of Two Known Forces using Graphical
Method

11. Using a scale of 1 cm = 10 g, draw F1 in its direction and scaled length, beginning at the origin.

12. Now draw F2, scaled to the correct magnitude and direction (use a protractor), starting at the
end of F1.

13. Draw the resultant vector, R. Measure its magnitude with a ruler (in cm), converting back to
units of grams. Measure its angle, with a protractor. On the graph you’ve drawn, write the
dimensions (in cm and grams) of your vectors, and indicate the scale used.

14. Enter your results using the three methods in the Data Table. Calculate and record in the Data
Table 3.3 the % difference between the magnitude of the resultant measured on the force table
and that of in graphical method to that obtained using the analytical method. If you find this
difference to be more than ten percent (10%), you should check your calculations and force
table measurements.

15. Repeat Procedures (A), (B) and (C) using two 150 g masses that are to be placed at 60° and
300°. Remember that the weight hangers have a mass, too and this needs to be included as part
of the hanging mass.

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PHY03L-Physics for Engineers (Laboratory) Vectors

Name: Roinel Jay A. Margate Date: April 12, 2022

Course & Year: BSIE 1-GK Group No. 10

EXPERIMENT NO. 3 ADDITION OF VECTORS

Data Table 3.1a The Equilibrant and Resultant of Two Known Forces using Force Table
Forces Mass (g) Force (N) Direction

F1 100 0.98 0°

F2 150 1.50
120°

Equilibrant, E 135 1.32 260°

Resultant, R 135 1.32 80°

Data Table 3.1b The Equilibrant and Resultant of Two Known Forces using Force Table
Forces Mass (g) Force (N) Direction

F3 150 1.50 60°

F4 150 1.50 300°

Equilibrant, E 150 1.50 180°

Resultant, R 150 1.50 0°

Data Table 3.2a The Equilibrant and Resultant of Two Known Forces using Analytical
Method
Forces Mass (g) Force (N) Direction x-component (N) y-component (N)

F1 100 0.98 0° 0.98 0

F2 150 1.50 120° -0.75 1.30

Resultant, R 135 1.32 80° 0.23 -1.30

Equilibrant, E 135 1.32 260° -0.23 -1.30

Data Table 3.2b The Equilibrant and Resultant of Two Known Forces using Analytical
Method

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Forces Mass (g) Force (N) Direction x-component (N) y-component (N)

F3 150 1.50 60O 0.75 -1.30

F4 150 1.50 300O 0.75 1.30

Resultant, R 150 1.50 0° 1.50 0

Equilibrant, E 150 1.50 180° 1.50 0

Data Table 3.3a The Equilibrant and Resultant of Two Known Forces using Graphical
Method
Scale: 1.0 cm = 10 g
Forces
Mass (g) Force (N) Direction Length of Arrow (cm)

F1 100 0.98 0° 10.0

F2 150 1.47 120° 15.0

Resultant, R 135 1.32 80° 13.5

Equilibrant, E 135 1.32 260° 13.5

Data Table 3.3b The Equilibrant and Resultant of Two Known Forces using Graphical
Method
Scale: 1 cm = 10 g
Forces
Mass (g) Force (N) Direction Length of Arrow (cm)

F3 150 1.50 60° 15.0

F4 150 1.50 300° 15.0

Resultant, R 150 1.50 0° 15.0

Equilibrant, E 150 1.50 180° 15.0

Data Table 3.3 Comparison of Resultant Forces Obtained Experimentally and Graphically
with the Results of Analytical Method
Forces Resultant, R (N) Resultant, R (N) Percent Resultant, R (N) Percent
(Analytical) (Experimental) Diff, % (Graphical) Diff, %

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F1 =100 g, 0°

F2 =150 g,120° 1.32 N 1.32 N 0% 1.32 N 0%

F3 =150 g, 60°

F4 =150 g,300° 1.50 N 1.50 N 0% 1.50 N 0%

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