Experiment no.

2: Vectors

Vectors
Our world is composed of physical quantities that are either scalars or vectors. A scalar quantity
is a quantity that is described by a magnitude. On the other hand, vector quantities are quantities
that are completely described by both magnitude and direction. In adding scalar quantities, they
are added via algebraic addition as long as their units are the same (ex. 5 kg + 2 kg = 7kg). On
the other hand, the sum of vector quantities is known as the resultant vector. Resultant vectors
can be determined by graphical method, analytical method, and using force table. Graphical and
force tables are approximation methods for getting the resultant vector. Meanwhile, the
analytical method is the accurate way of getting the resultant vector.

Graphical Method
In the graphical method, the vectors are represented by an arrow wherein the arrow length
represents the magnitude of the vector and whose direction points to the direction of vector.
Here, the arrows are connected by means of their tip and tail. The resultant is the arrow that will
join the starting point of the first vector and the tip of the last vector. A suitable scale must be
used to represent the magnitude of the vector.

Example: Use the graphical technique to find the total displacement (resultant) of a person who
walks the following three paths on a flat field. She walks 25.0 m in a direction 49.0 o north of
east. Then, she walks 23.0 m heading 15.0o north of east. Finally, she turns and walks 32.0 m in a
direction 68.0o south of east

Step 1: Draw the three displacement vectors. Let the scale be 5cm = 25m

Step 2: Place the vectors head to tail retaining both their initial magnitude

= 5cm

= 4.6 cm

= 6.4 cm
Step 3: Draw the resultant vector R, by connecting the tail of the first vector and the head of the
last vector

Step 4: Use a ruler to measure the magnitude of the resultant, and protractor to measure the
direction of R.

In this example, measuring the Resultant by ruler would be 10cm. Since we set the scale to be 5
cm = 25m, our resultant vector measurement of 10cm would be equal to 50m. And this vector
lies at a direction 7.0o south of east

Force Table
In using force table, the vectors needed to be added are represented by loads (masses) placed on
each hanger. The vectors on the force table are balanced by an extra hanger where another load is
placed which corresponds to the equilibrant. Note that the equilibrant is equal in magnitude
with the resultant BUT opposite in direction
2

Figure 1. Force Table with its parts.

From Figure 1, (1) is the Force Table. (2) These Would be the movable pulleys that you will
align based on the direction or angle of your vector. The whole force table is equal to a complete
360o. (3) The hanging mass which represents the magnitude of your vector. Take note that the
hanger has already an initial mass of 5g.

3
1

Figure 2. Top view of balance Force Table.

In Figure 2, (1, 2, 3) represents the vectors that are needed to be added. These vectors are aligned
based on the degree angle of their direction. (4) Is the equilibrant force, and in order to find it,
one must continuously add masses on the hanger. It is said that the vector is already in
equilibrant if the white ring is already aligned with the center of the force table. The dashed line
represents the direction of the resultant vector.

Analytical Method
Analytical method usually employs the resultant method, the x and y components of each vector
are determined, followed by the summation of each component. The resultant is calculated by
using the Pythagorean theorem.

R=√ ❑

Using our example problem from the graphical method part,

Fx Fy
25.0 m, 49 o
25cos(49) =16.40 25sin(49) = 18.87
23.0 m, 15o 23cos(15) =22.22 23sin(15) = 5.95
32.0 m, 68 south of east
o
32cos(292)=11.99 32sin(292)= −29.67
68o in standard position =
292o
F x = 50.61 F y=-4.85

R=√ ❑
 Fy
−1 −1 −4.85
To get the direction, θ=tan =tan =−5.47
Fx 50.61
To convert this into standard position, 360 + (-5.47) = 354.53o

Objective:
This experiment aims to determine the resultant of three given forces using graphical method,
component method, and force table

Materials:
Force table, weight holders, set of masses, graphical paper, ruler, pencil, protractor
Set-Up

Figure 3. Force Table set-up

Procedures:
 1. Assemble the force table, by removing the legs from its storage clip and holder and line up the
leg screw with a threaded hole in the underside of the Force Table. Turn the leg clockwise until it
is firmly attached to the table. (See the figure below.)

2. Set up the first force vector at 20o. Do this by aligning the movable pulley into the 20 o mark,
and hang 145g on it (Use a string to hang the mass) . Use F=mg where g=9.80 m/s 2 to determine
the magnitude.

3. Set up the second force vector at 105 o. Do this by aligning the movable pulley into the 105 o
mark, and hang 105g on it. Use F=mg where g=9.80 m/s2 to determine the magnitude.

3. Set up the third force vector at 197o. Do this by aligning the movable pulley into the 197o mark,
and hang 55g on it. Use F=mg where g=9.80 m/s2 to determine the magnitude.

4. Set up the equilibrant force vector by doing trial and error of adjusting the angle and hanged
mass. Use F=mg where g=9.80 m/s2 to determine the magnitude.

5. After doing a trial and error method of angle-adjustment and mass-adjustment, make sure that
the white ring is perfectly aligned with the circle marker at the middle of the force table.

6. Record at which angle the equilibrant force vector is located. To determine the resultant vector,
simply get the angle directly opposite.

7. Record the mass of the equilibrant force vector. This will serve as the magnitude of the
equilibrant force and magnitude of the resultant as well. Use F=mg where g=9.80 m/s 2 to
determine the magnitude.

8. Using the same three forces, determine the resultant by graphical and component methods

9. Evaluate the resultants of the force table and graphical methods by calculating their percentage
error using the analytical method as the standard value.
 LAB REPORT

NAME SIGNATURE

COURSE TITLE: PHYSICS FOR ENGINEERS LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT TITLE:
EXPERIMENT NO:
DATE SUBMITTED:
PROFESSOR:
GRADES/SCORES:

Data and Results

 Vector Newtons (N) Direction
F1
F2
F3
Equilibrant (Force table)
Resultant (Force table)
Resultant
(Graphical Method)
Resultant
(Component Method)
% Error (Force table vs
Component method)
% Error (Graphical
Method vs Component
method)

Computations for Component Method

Sketch/Attached your Graphical Method here:

Analysis:

Conclusion:

INDIVIDUAL LABORATORY REPORT

Name: ____________________________________________ Section:_________
Course: ___________________________________________ Score: _________

1. Assuming that the result in the analytical method is the standard value, which method
(force table or graphing method) do you think is the most precise Why?

2. Mr. Godofredo P. Ramos walks 8km East, then 5km South, and finally 6km West. Find
his final displacement.

3. Mr. Krippy and Ms. Ramsy pull at two ropes attached to a cabinet with forces 80 N and
120 N respectively. What is the resultant force if they pull a right angle to each other?