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CAPE Physics Unit 1 - Lab - Vector Principles

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59 views5 pages

CAPE Physics Unit 1 - Lab - Vector Principles

Uploaded by

Brianna Malcolm
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Lab #: 3

Topic: Vector Principles

Objective: To investigate the vector methods used to add forces.

Equipment: Force table with pulleys, ring, strings, standard masses and holder spring balance
(2.0N capacity)

Background: A quantity is defined as a physical system that can be measured or quantified.


Vector quantities are described as physical quantities characterised by having both magnitude
and direction. Vector quantities can be manipulated and analysed, one way in which is by
combining them through either addition or subtraction. The outcome of combining two or more
vectors is known as the resultant vector. For example two forces are acting on a body in different
directions. The sum of these forces is known as the resultant force and is considered to be a
single force that encompasses all the forces acting on the body, without changing the overall
effect of the forces. The equilibrant force is a single force that counteracts the combined effect
of all the forces acting on a body (resultant force) thus resulting in the net force equalling to zero.
The equilibrant force has the same magnitude as the resultant force but acts in the opposite
direction.

Diagram:
Procedure:

1. One end of each of the three strings was attached to the iron ring.

2. The free end of each string was passed over the pulleys on the force board.

3. Standard weights were attached to the strings: a 200g weight at the 0º mark. a 300g
weight at the 120º mark. A 100g weight at the 225º mark.

4. The fourth string was loosely attached to the iron ring at one end and attached to a spring
balance at the free end.

5. The spring balance was pulled on so that the ring remains centred on the central pin of
the force board. The magnitude and direction of the balancing forces was determined.

6. Procedure 5 was repeated three times and the average was calculated.

7. The smallest division of the spring balance and the smallest division of the force board
were noted.

Data collected:
● A vector diagram was drawn.

Balancing Force, FB

Magnitude, FB/N Direction, Ѳ/Degree

185 280

190 275

195 280

Average 190 280


Data Analysis:

Graphical Method

Magnitude/ gf Direction/ Degree

Resultant, FR 190 277

Equilibrant, FE 190 280

Mathematical Method

Forces /gf Horizontal Component /gf Vertical Component /gf

F1 +200 0

F2 - 300cos(60) +300sin(60)

F3 - 100cos(45) -100sin(45)

F1 + F2+F3 -20.7 189.1

Magnitude/ gf Direction/ Degree

Resultant, FR 190 278

Equilibrant, FE 190 281

Comparing the results of the graphical method with the true value of the equilibrant.
190−190.22
Magnitude: maximum percentage difference = 190.22
× 100% = 0. 1%
280−280
Direction: maximum percentage difference = 280
× 100% = 0%
Comparing the results of the experimental method with the true value of the equilibrant.
190−190.22
Magnitude: maximum percentage difference = 190.22
× 100% = 0. 1%
281−280
Direction: maximum percentage difference = 281
× 100% = 0. 3%

Discussion:

As previously stated the resultant force is known as the sum of all the forces while the
equilibrant force is known as the single force that counteracts the resultant. Vectors can be
represented both graphically and mathematically. When represented graphically, an arrow is
drawn to represent the vector, while the length of the arrow corresponds to the magnitude and the
direction of the arrow head corresponds to the direction. When adding vectors graphically, the
polygon of forces method is employed. This method states that if two or more forces acting at a
point can be represented in both size and direction by the sides of a closed polygon, arranged
consecutively, then the forces are in equilibrium. When the arrows are arranged consecutively it
means the head of one arrow touches the tail of another arrow with respect to the direction of
each individual arrow to form a polygon. If the polygon is incomplete, it indicates the presence
of a resultant force. This principle gives rise to the parallelogram rule of vectors which states that
if two forces acting at a point are represented in magnitude and direction by the sides of a
parallelogram drawn from the point, the diagonal of the parallelogram drawn from the point
represents their resultant.

Additionally the resultant of a system of forces can also be found by resolving the vectors into
perpendicular components and then adding them algebraically. For this to be done a vector
diagram should be drawn. From this obtain the horizontal and vertical components of each force
and find the total. Afterwards use pythagorean’s theorem and the trig ratios to calculate the
resultant force and its direction.
Limitations:

● The mass of the string is ignored therefore the mass is not accurate.
● Friction in the pulleys
● The graphical method has limited precision.

Conclusion: The resultant force is known as the singular force that represents the total sum of
the forces acting on a body while the equilibrant of two or more forces is the force that can
produce equilibrium between all the forces. The equilibrant force is equal in magnitude but
opposite in direction to the resultant force.

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