Experiment (3)

Vectors (The Force Table)

Course Number: Physics 315503111 Instructor: ………..……..…..

Credit Hours:1 Instructor: …...………..…….

Name: …………………………………… Date: ………………………..

Partner’s Names: ………………………… Section: ……….…….…...…

Objectives:

In this experiment we will investigate various methods of adding the vectors that
represent forces. We will practice resolving the vectors

3-1) Introduction and theory:

Many of the physical quantities used in physics must be described by both magnitude
and direction; some of these quantities are displacement, velocity, force, and
acceleration. We use a vector to represent these quantities, which can be represented
graphically by an arrow whose length is proportional to its magnitude and points in
the desired direction. It can also be represented mathematically by giving the
components of the vector along three perpendicular directions as given by:


A  A x iˆ  A y jˆ  A z kˆ
(3-1)

In this experiment, vector addition of various forces acting on a system in equilibrium

will be used to find an unknown mass. If three forces act on a ring as seen in Figure
(3-1), then the resultant force is given by:

   
Fres  F1  F2  F3 . (3-2)

1
 Figure 3-1

Figure (3-2)

So, the total x-component is given by (see Figure (3-2)):

 Fx  F1x  F2 x  F3x , (3-3)

where

F1x=F1 cos θ1, F2x=F2 cos θ2 and F3x=F3 cos θ3

2
Similarly, the total y-component is given by:

 Fy  F1 y  F2 y  F3 y , (3-4)

where F1y=F1 sinθ1, F2y=F2 sin θ2 and F3y=F3 sin θ3

In this case the magnitude of the resultant force is:

  Fy     Fy 
2 2
 Fres 
, (3-5)

And the direction of the resultant force is given by:

 Fy
tan  
 Fy . (3-6)

This resultant force equals the weight of the unknown mass (i.e. the fourth
force) in magnitude and opposite to it in direction.

If two forces act on a point then a cosine law can be used to find the resultant as given
by the following equation

F 2  F1 2  F22  2F1 F2 cos  , (3-7)

Where the direction of the resultant can be determined by the sine law:

F2 F F
 res  1
sin  sin  sin  , (3-8)

as shown in Figure (3-3):

Figure (3-3)

3
Also, the polygon (graphical) method can be used to find the resultant as shown in
Figure (3-4).

F2
Q 34 F3
F3
Q 23
Q 23 Q 12
F4
Q 34 a F1 b

Fr F2

Q 12
F4
F1

Figure (3-4)

Draw a vector diagram of the vectors using the head to tail method of vector addition,
in this case the vectors must be added while keeping the direction and the magnitude
of the vectors unchanged, the resultant is drawn from the last head to the first tail.

into components, and then we will use a force table to experimentally observe the
addition of different force vectors.

Procedure:

The Force Table is an apparatus used to determine the resultant

(or vector sum) of different forces. Forces are applied radially to a central ring by
means of attached strings, which run over frictionless pulleys on the edge of the table,
with masses hanging on their ends. The pull of gravity on the masses (i.e. their
weights: mg) gives rise to tension in the strings that is proportional to the amount of a
hanged mass. Therefore, the magnitude of a force may be varied by adding or
removing mass. The direction of a force can be varied by moving a pulley along the
circumference of the table. When two or more forces are applied to the ring, their
vector sum, or resultant, can be found by finding the additional force needed to

4
exactly balance the applied forces. For example, if two forces are applied, the
resultant, or vector sum, is

  
F1  F2  Fres .

 
F F
The magnitude and direction of res may be found by finding a third force, 3 such
that:

  
.
F1  F2  F3  0

When the net force on the ring is zero it will remain centered around the center pin, in
 
F F
equilibrium, the sum of 1 and 2 must then be equal in magnitude, but opposite in

F
direction, to 3 , i.e.

  
F
. 1
 F2   F3

In the following experiments you will practice different methods of adding vectors
and then use the force table to experimentally check your calculations.

Begin by leveling the force table, if necessary, then, practice balancing forces
until you can determine when there is zero net force on the ring. Note that it is
important that the strings tied to the ring slide easily from side to side, so that no
sideways force is applied to the ring. The strings should pull straight outwards toward
positions of the pulleys on the edges of the table; there will be some uncertainty in
your experimental method. Remember that the weight of the hangers must be
included in your total weights.

5
Experimentally: Use the force table to determine the third force that is required to
balance the two force vectors previously defined.

Addition of components: Resolve the vectors into components and find the sums for
each component and the direction of the resultant force

Algebrically method: find the resultant force by using eqution (3-7).

Graphically: Draw a diagram to scale and construct a parallelogram to find the sum.

Fill The table below:

M(kg) F(N)=Mg θx°

M1
M2
M3

Corresponding to the table above answer the following question.

1) Again determine the resultant of the two forces in step one by the method of
component, How does it compare with measured value F3? Fill the below table:
F2x= F1x= F1
F1x= F1x= F2
∑ Fy= ∑ Fx=

FR= F1 + F2

│ FR │

θR (with +x-axis)
F3

2) Calculate the magnitude resultant of F1 and F2 by algebraically method and

compared it with magnitude F3 using eqution (3-7).

6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Determine the resultant of the forces in step one of the procedures by polygon
(graphical) method, how does it compare with the measured value?

4- State the major sources of inaccuracy in the experimental results?

5) State your conclusion?