ENPHY30 Physics for Engineers Laboratory Formal Report

VECTOR: The Resultant of Two or More Forces

John Andrei D. Cantre 1, Cyrus Joshua C. Cayabyab2, Josh Will S. Gasmeña 3
1 College of Engineering, National University, Manila

Abstract. Vector is a quantity that has magnitude and direction. It’s essential for navigation specifically for pilots
and captain of ships. Also, it can be used for examining a natural phenomenon or an accident cause by a certain
force. Resultant force is the summation of all forces with magnitude and direction. This helps to understand or
solve the total displacement from starting point to end point. Equilibrant force is the opposite direction but same
magnitude of force to achieve equilibrium. In further elaboration, simulation will be used on this study to observe,
study the behaviour of forces and become familiarize with the vectors and related topics.
Keywords: Vector; Resultant Force; Equilibrant Force

1 Introduction release it and stretch until desired measurement,

rotate for desired angle. Finally, they toggle sum to
show the resultant, toggle value to show the values
The objective of this experiment is to verify
experimentally using simulations and using graphical and, toggle angle to show angle. This step-by-step
solution the laws on determining analytically the procedure is repeated all throughout the experiment.
resultant and equilibrant of vectors, particularly The researchers then used manual calculations for
concurrent and co-planar forces; to study the first checking to ensure the precision of the results.
condition of equilibrium; to solve problems on
equilibrium of two or more forces. On this 2.1 Actual Simulation Pictures
experiment the researchers looking for a way on how
to solve the vector related problems using both
simulation and manual calculation. Also, on how the
vectors behave on the simulation. The researchers
can only use the given link for simulations and follow
the maximum measurement allowed on the
simulation.

2 Materials and Methodology

The researchers used a web application called

Colorado simulations; the website is designed to
simulate math and science problems which you, as a Figure 1. Problem 1; 4 Vectors.
user can manipulate the variables and interact with
the simulation. The researchers specifically used
vector addition part of the app to simulate the
problems.

First, the researchers have chosen the Lab

option for more inputs and because this is an
experiment. Inside of the simulation under lab tab,
the researchers use pink vector to allow them a more
accurate measurement. Second, they drag the vector,
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Figure 5. Problem 5; 5co-planar vectors.

Figure 2. Problem 2; 2 Vectors.

2.2 Equations and Mathematics

To solve the resultant force:

𝑅 = √∑ 𝑥 2 + ∑ 𝑦 2 (1)
To solve the angle :
𝑦
tan 𝜃 = | 𝑥 | (2)

3 Results and Discussion

Figure 3. Problem 3; 1 Resultant and x, y
components. We, the researchers received 5 vectors related
problems that can be solve in both simulation and
manual calculation.
Problem No. 1

Figure 4. Problem 4; 2 Vectors and 2 Vectors with

same direction.
The pink lines were the forces given while the
purple one was the resultant. We can’t connect them
due to their size. The manual calculation result and
this simulation result was matched.

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Problem No. 2 is heading north. That was the reason why the angle
on the picture was 60°.
Problem No. 4

The apple green lines were the vectors given

while the green one was the resultant. Since, the
given measurement was small. We are able to
connect it from starting point to end point. As you can
see, the simulation shows the result accurately. Also,
the results were matched with the manual calculation. The pink one represents the vectors given while
the purple one was the resultant. Here, the given was
55 N and we convert it into 5.5 N to fit in to the graph
but the graph can’t use half measurement. Also, we
Problem No. 3 add up the two vectors since it has the same direction.
Therefore, we round it and the results comparison
with the manual calculation was near.
Problem No. 5

The solid apple green line was the given while the
broken apple green lines was the vectors and its
value. On this problem, we assume that the A vector

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The pink lines were the vectors given while the

purple one was the resultant vector. We can’t connect
it and form a polygon due to its size. The results of
this simulation match the result of manual calculation

4 Conclusion and
Recommendation
We, the researchers conclude that the simulation is
very helpful to observe and study on how the forces
behave. However, there is some minor limitation for
the user.

We, the researchers recommend that to use

conversion specifically for large givens. On this way,
the vectors can fit on the graph since it has limitation.

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Appendix: Sample calculations 4. Find the resultant and equilibrant of the

forces.
1. Solve the resultant of the following Forces x-component y-component
vectors: 20cos45= 20sin45=
20N, NE
10√2 10√2
Forces x-components y-components 40sin45= -40cos45=
40N, SE
200cos45= 200sin45= 20√2 −20√2
200 g; NE -55sin45= -55cos45=
141.42 141.42
55N, SW 55√2 55√2
230g; N 0 230 − 2 − 2
350g; 30° S of -350cos30= -350sin30= 𝟓√𝟐 𝟕𝟓√𝟐
Summation −
W -303.11 -175 𝟐 𝟐
300g; 60° S of 300cos60= -300sin60=
E 150 -259.8 2 2
5√2 75√2
Summation -11.69 -63.4 𝑅 = √( ) + (− )
2 2
𝑹 = 𝟓√𝟏𝟏𝟑 = 𝟓𝟑. 𝟏𝟓 𝑵
2 2
𝑅 = √(∑ 𝑥) + (∑ 𝑦) 75√2
− 2
𝜃 = tan−1 (| |) = 𝟖𝟔. 𝟏𝟖° 𝑺 𝒐𝒇 𝑬
𝑅 = √(−11.69)2 + (−63.4)2 5√2
𝑹 = 𝟔𝟒. 𝟒𝟕 𝒈 2
−63.4 𝑬𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕 = 𝟓√𝟏𝟏𝟑 , 𝟑. 𝟖𝟏° 𝑵𝒐𝒇 𝑬
𝜃 = tan−1 (| |)
−11.69 5. Find the resultant of five coplanar forces.
𝜽 = 𝟕𝟗. 𝟓𝟓° − 𝟏𝟖𝟎° = −𝟏𝟎𝟎. 𝟒°
Forces x-components y-components
2. Given the two vectors; Find the magnitude 110cos45= 100sin45=
110lbs, NE
and direction of resultant vector. 55√2 55√2
A=5m, along x axis 150lbs, E 150 0
B=8m, 65° from x axis 200lbs, S 0 -200
Forces x-components y-components 210lbs, 30° W -210cos30= -210sin30=
5m, E 5 0 of S -181.87 -105
230lbs, 30° N -230cos30= 230sin30=
8m, 60° N of E 8cos60= 4 8sin60= 4√3 of W -199.18 115
Summation Summation -153.27 -112.22
9 𝟒√𝟑
(∑)
𝑅 = √(−153.27)2 + (−112.22)2
2
𝑅= √(9)2 + (4√3) 𝑹 = 𝟏𝟖𝟗. 𝟗𝟔 𝒍𝒃𝒔
−112.22
𝑹 = √𝟏𝟐𝟗 = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟑𝟓𝟕 𝜃 = tan−1 (| |)
−153.27
4√3 = 𝟑𝟔. 𝟐𝟏° 𝑺 𝒐𝒇 𝑾
𝜃 = tan−1 ( ) = 𝟑𝟕. 𝟓𝟖° 𝑁 𝑜𝑓 𝐸
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3. The resultant of two equal forces A and B is

60 lbs. If it makes an angle of 30° with A,
find the magnitude of the forces.

Assume that the A is heading north.

A=Ry; B=Rx
𝑅𝑦 = 𝑅 cos 𝜃 = 60𝑐𝑜𝑠30 = 30√3
𝑹𝒚 = 𝟓𝟏. 𝟗 𝒍𝒃𝒔
𝑅𝑥 = 𝑅 sin 𝜃 = 30 sin 30
𝑹𝒙 = 𝟑𝟎 𝒍𝒃𝒔
∴ 𝑨 = 𝟓𝟏. 𝟗 𝒍𝒃𝒔 ; 𝑩 = 𝟑𝟎 𝒍𝒃𝒔