Physics 2020 --- Lab 04

Determination of
Resultant Forces

Introduction
f several forces, each having different magnitudes and directions, act on a point

I object, their net effect can be represented by a single force called a resultant force.
The magnitude and direction of the resultant force can be found using a special
process known as vector addition. Vector addition can be done both analytically and
graphically. In addition, resultant force vectors can be found experimentally.

Discussion
In the graphical technique of vector addition, each force is represented by an arrow
whose length is proportional to the vector’s magnitude. Each arrow is oriented at an
angle θ that corresponds to the direction in which the force acts. In this technique, the
tail of each arrow is connected to the head of the previous arrow until all forces have
been drawn. A single arrow is then drawn from the tail of the first arrow (at the
coordinate system origin) to the tip of the last arrow. This final arrow then represents
the resultant force. Its length is proportional to the magnitude of the resultant vector
and its angle θ corresponds to the direction in which the resultant force acts.

The addition of two vectors A and B is

shown in the diagram at the right. Using
the “head-to-tail” method, we first draw
vector A by placing its tail at the origin of
the coordinate system. Next we draw
vector B by placing its tail at the tip of
vector A. The resultant vector R = A + B
is found by drawing a straight line from
the tail of vector A to the tip of vector B.
The magnitude of R is proportional to its
length and the direction in which it acts
is the angle it makes with the horizontal.
(Note: It doesn’t matter which vector is
drawn first. The result will be the same.)

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In the analytical process of vector addition, each vector to be added is first broken down
into its x and y components. The components along each axis are then added
algebraically to obtain the components of the resultant vector along each axis. This
leads to the following:

RX = AX + BX = Acosθ1 + Bcosθ2

RY = AY + BY = Asinθ1 + Bsinθ2

The magnitude of the resultant vector is then found using the Pythagorean Theorem

R  R 2X  R 2Y

Furthermore, the angle θ that the resultant R makes with the x axis is given by the
following:

RY R
  arctan  tan 1 Y
RX RX

Since a nonzero resultant force accelerates an object, another force must be applied to
establish equilibrium. If FA and FB are two known forces (represented by vectors A and
B) applied to an object, they will have a resultant force (represented by the vector R). A
force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to R must be applied to keep the
object in equilibrium. The force needed to establish equilibrium is called the
equilibrant force.

The resultant force R is found experimentally

by first finding the equilibrant force E needed
to balance all the individual forces. The
resultant force is then the force having the
same magnitude as the equilibrant force E but
acting in the opposite direction. A device
known as a force table is used find the
resultant force experimentally.

A force table is a disc whose outer rim is

graduated in degrees. Strings attached to a
metal ring in the center pass over pulleys
mounted at the edge of the disc. The angular
positions of these pulleys may be adjusted.

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Objective
The purpose of this lab is to gain experience in working with vector quantities. The lab
demonstrates the process of combining several vectors using various vector addition
techniques to form a single resultant vector. Experimental, graphical, and analytical
methods will be used to determine the resultant of several vector combinations.

Equipment
 force table  measuring scale
 weights  calculator
 protractor  bubble level

Procedure
A force table will be used to experimentally determine the resultant of several forces
acting on a ring located at the center of the table. Strings attached to the ring pull it in
different directions. The magnitude of each pull and its direction can be varied by
adjusting the masses attached to the strings and the location of the pulleys on the rim
of the table. For best results, the force table should be level and the pulleys
should be mounted perpendicular to the rim of the table. When in equilibrium,
the ring will remain centered on the table pin.

Note: The ring is in equilibrium when it is centered on the force table pin. Be
sure that all the strings are positioned so that they are perpendicular to
the ring as shown below.

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Experimental Determination of the Resultant of Two Forces

Part 1: Experimental Method

1. Place a pulley at the 0O mark on the
force table and place a total of 120
gm on the end of the string (don’t
forget to include the mass of the
hanger!). Place a second pulley at
the 90O mark and place a total of 80
gm on the end of that string (also
including the mass of the hanger!).

2. By trial and error, determine the

angle at which a balancing force
must act in order to place the ring in
equilibrium. Place a pulley at this
angle, pass a string over the pulley,
attach a hanger to end of the string,
and add mass disks until the ring is
in equilibrium.

3. Record the experimental angle and amount of mass (don’t forget to include the
hanger) needed to balance the other two forces in the data table below. (This is the
equilibrant force E that balances the resultant force R). Now determine and record
the resultant force R based on your experimental results for the equilibrant force E.
(The resultant force will be equal in magnitude to the equilibrant, but in the opposite
direction.)

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Part 1: Graphical Method
Using your graph paper, a protractor, and a centimeter scale, draw arrows to represent
the forces F1 and F2 described above. Choose a scale and draw each force vector so
that its length is proportional to the magnitude of the force. The direction of each arrow
must be the same direction as the force it represents. Using the head-to-tail method,
draw an arrow that represents the resultant of the two vectors. (Don’t forget to record
the scale you chose.)

From the length of the resultant vector R, determine its magnitude according to your
scale. Using the protractor, determine the resultant vector’s direction (angle). Record
your results in the table below.

Part 1: Component Method

Using your calculator, determine the x and y components of F1 and F2. Remember that
FX = Fcosθ and FY = F sinθ. Find the x and y components of the resultant from the sum
of x and y components. Calculate the magnitude of the resultant force from the square
root of (RX2 + RY2). Calculate the direction of the resultant force from θ R = tan-1 (RY/RX).
Does this result agree with the graphical method?

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Part 1: Error Determination
Calculate the percent error of the the experimental value of FR compared to the
calculated valus of FR (the accepted value). Also calculate the percent error of the
graphical solution of FR compared to the calculated solution.

experimental value - calculated value

Experimental Error =  100%
calculated value

graphical value - calculated value

Graphical Error =  100%
calculated value

==================================================================

Parts 2, 3, and 4
Repeat the steps in Part 1 to determine the resultant of the three additional force
combinations (2, 3, and 4) shown below using the (1) experimental, (2) graphical, and
(3) component methods for each combination of force vectors. (Don’t forget to include
the percent error for each.)

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Part 2: Experimental Method
Using the force table, simulate the forces described in Part 2 and experimentally
determine the magnitude and direction of their resultant. Record your results in the
table below.

Part 2: Graphical Method

Using your graph paper, draw vectors that represent each of the two forces from Part 2
along with their resultant force. Graphically determine the magnitude of the resultant in
grams and its direction in degrees. Record the results in the table below.

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Part 2: Component Method
Using the component method, determine the magnitude and direction of the forces described
in Part 2 and analytically determine the magnitude and direction of their resultant.
Record your results in the table below.

Part 2: Percent Error Calculations:

Calculate the percent error of the the experimental value of F R compared to the
calculated valus of FR (the accepted value). Also calculate the percent error of the
graphical solution of FR compared to the calculated solution.

experimental value - calculated value

Experimental Error =  100%
calculated value

graphical value - calculated value

Graphical Error =  100%
calculated value

==================================================================

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Part 3: Experimental Method
Using the force table, simulate the forces described in Part 3 and experimentally
determine the magnitude and direction of their resultant. Record your results in the
table below.

Part 3: Graphical Method

Using your graph paper, draw vectors that represent each of the two forces from Part 3
along with their resultant force. Graphically determine the magnitude of the resultant in
grams and its direction in degrees. Record the results in the table below.

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Part 3: Component Method
Using the component method, determine the magnitude and direction of the forces described
in Part 3 and analytically determine the magnitude and direction of their resultant.
Record your results in the table below.

Part 3: Percent Error Calculations:

Calculate the percent error of the the experimental value of F R compared to the
calculated valus of FR (the accepted value). Also calculate the percent error of the
graphical solution of FR compared to the calculated solution.

experimental value - calculated value

Experimental Error =  100%
calculated value

graphical value - calculated value

Graphical Error =  100%
calculated value

==================================================================

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Part 4: Experimental Method
Using the force table, simulate the forces described in Part 4 and experimentally
determine the magnitude and direction of their resultant. Record your results in the
table below.

Part 4: Graphical Method

Using your graph paper, draw vectors that represent each of the two forces from Part 4
along with their resultant force. Graphically determine the magnitude of the resultant in
grams and its direction in degrees. Record the results in the table below.

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Part 4: Component Method
Using the component method, determine the magnitude and direction of the forces described
in Part 4 and analytically determine the magnitude and direction of their resultant.
Record your results in the table below.

Part 4: Percent Error Calculations:

Calculate the percent error of the the experimental value of FR compared to the
calculated valus of FR (the accepted value). Also calculate the percent error of the
graphical solution of FR compared to the calculated solution.

experimental value - calculated value

Experimental Error =  100%
calculated value

graphical value - calculated value

Graphical Error =  100%
calculated value

==================================================================

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When you have completed all four parts of this experiment, you may summarize your
results in the data table below for inclusion in the Data section of your lab report. The
shaded columns indicate which sample calculations should be performed.

(Note: The % Error refers to the percent error in the magnitude of the resultant.
You don’t need to calculate a percent error for the angle θ.)

You should also attach all four of the graphs that were used for the graphical
determination.

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A Few Questions
1. Suppose three forces, each having different magnitudes, are in equilibrium on the
force table. Will they still be in equilibrium if you add an equal amount of mass to all
three of the weight hangers? Why? (Hint: Use the force table and your setup from
Part 1 to justify your answer. After establishing equilibrium, add 50 gm to all three
weight hangers and describe what happens.)

2. If D is the vector that balances the effect of

vectors A, B, and C all acting together,
which vector will balance the effect of
vectors A, C, and D all acting together?
(Note: vectors A, B, C, and D are in
equilibrium.) Explain your answer.

3. A child weighing 200 N is being held

back in a swing by a horizontal force of
125 N. Use the graphical method to
determine the tension T in the rope and
the angle θ that the rope makes with
respect to the horizontal. Include the
graph in your lab report. Verify your
answer using the force table.

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4. While tying his shoes, a person holds the
shoestrings at the angles indicated in the
illustration below and pushes downward
with a force of 20 lbs. Use the
component method to determine the
tensions T1 and T1 in each shoestring.
Verify your answer using the force table.

5. The two ropes supporting the hammock shown in the illustration below are both tied
to the trees at the same height. At what angle θ will the tension T in each rope be
equal to the person’s weight. In other words, at what angle θ does Tension = mg?

(Hint: Use the force table to find the angle θ by placing three equal masses on the
three strings. Position one of the masses (representing the person in the hammock)
at 270O and position the other two masses (representing the tension in the ropes) at
the angles that establish equilibrium.) Cross check your answer by finding the angle
θ using the component method.

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