AIM :-

To find the weight of a given body using parallelogram law of

vectors.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED :-

Gravesand’s apparatus (Parallelogram law of vector apparatus),
the given body or a wooden block whose weight is to be
determined, two hangers with slotted weights, plumb line,
machine oil, a fine and strong thread, a half metre scale , a thin
mirror strip, a white sheet of paper, drawing pins or a cello-
tape and a shrp pencil.

THEORY :-
The working of Gravesand’s apparatus is based on the
parallelogram law of forces. According to this law, if two forces
acting at a point are represented both in magnitude and
direction by the two adjacent sides of a parallelogram, then the
resultant of the two forces can be represented both in
magnitude and direction by the diagonal of the parallelogram
drawn from the point of application of the two forces.
Let P and Q be the magnitudes of two forces inclined to each
other at an angle 0. If these two known forces P and Q and a
third unknown force W due to the weight of the given body are
made to act a common point O such that they are in
equilibrium, then the unknown force W, called the equilibrium
force, is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the
resultant R of the two forces. Thus, the weight of the given
body is given by

W = R = P+Q+2PQcos0

PROCEDURE :-
1. With the help of a plumb-line, set the board of the
Gravesand’s apparatus in vertical position on a table.
2. Check that the pulleys rotate freely about their axes. If
there is any friction, use machine oil as the lubricant.
3. Fix a sheet of white paper on the drawing pins or cello-
tape.
4. Take a long piece of thread and tie the hangers at its ends.
Tie another short thread in the middle of the first thread
to make a knot at O. Tie the body or block of unknown
weight at the free end of the shorter thread.
5. Pass the longer thread over the two pulleys and add
slotted weights in the two hangers till the junction O of the
threads comes to rest (or attains equilibrium) slightly
below the middle of the paper. Ensure that neither the
weights nor the threads touch the board of the table.
6. In order to ensure a position of no-friction or perfect
equilibrium for the junction O, we disturb the knot O
slightly and leave it. It tends to move back towards the
position of no-friction. As it moves, we tap the board
gently. Then the knot comes to rest in the position of no-
friction andwe mark this point. Repeat the procedure
along different directions and in each case mark the point
where the knot comes to rest. The centre of these marked
points gives the mean position of O.
7. To mark the direction of the three forces, first place the
mirror strip below the thread OA on the paper [Fig. 6.9].
Adjust the position of the eye so that there is no parallax
between the thread and its image. Mark the points A1 and
A2 at the edges of the mirror where the image of the
thread leaves the mirror.
 8. Similarly, mark the directions of the other two forces by
points (1) B1 and B2 along the string OB, and (2) W1and
W2 along the string OW.
9. Remove the body and the two hangers along with the
slotted weights. Note the weight of each hanger and the
slotted weights on it.
10.Remove the paper from the board. Join the three pairs
of marked points and extend these lines to meet at O. These
three lines represent the directions of the three forces P, Q and
W.
11. Next choose a suitable scale, say 50 gwt=1cm and cut-off
lengths OA and OB to represent the forces P and Q respectively
acting at a point O. With OA and OB as adjacent sides, complete
sides, complete the parallelogram OACB [Fig. 6.8(a)]. Ensure
that the scale chosen is such that the parallelogram obtained is
fairly large.
12. Draw the diagonal OC. It represents the resultant R of P
and Q. Mark the arrow heads to indicate the directions of
forces. Also, produce WO to meet BC in C’. if the experiment
has been performed correctly, WO produced will pass through
C. Measure the angle COC’.
13. Repeat the above experiment for two different sets of
slotted weights for P and Q. Calculate the mean value of the
unknown weight W.
 14. Take a spring balance of suitable range. Find its least
count and zero error (if any). Find the weight of the given body
by using spring balance and verify the result.
15. Paste the three observation sheets in your practical
notebook and make a record of the observations as given
below.

OBSERVATIONS :-
A.For unknown weight
Weight of each hanger = gwt
Scale : 1 cm= gwt (say , s g wt)
Force=Weight of hanger +Slotted weights Unknow
S.No. P Representing Q Reresenting Length n wt
(g wt) length (g wt) length OC=L W=L*s COC
OA(cm) OB(cm) (cm) (g wt)
1.
2.
3.
Mean value of W= gwt

B.For verification of weight

Least count of the spring balance = gwt
Zero error, e = gwt
Zero correction, c = -e = gwt
Weight of the body as measured by the spring balance, W=
gwt
 Corrected weight, W’ = W +C
Percentage error = W’- W/W’*100= %

RESULT :-
1. set vertical with the help of a plumb-line.
2. The pulleys The board of Gravesand’s apparatus must be
should be frictionless so as to rotate freely about their
axes.
3. The weights should hang freely and must not touch the
board.
4. The weights in the hangers should be so adjusted that the
meeting point O of the three forces lies slightly below the
middle of the sheet.
5. The correct position of O should be ascertained by pulling
down the body of unknown weight slightly and then
releasing it. See that the position of point O is same as
before.
6. The directions of three forces should be marked either by
using a thick mirror strip or placing a thin strip lengthwise
with the help of a sharp pencil.
7. While marking the points, the parallax must be removed
between the thread and its image.
8. The points should be marked on the sheet when all the
weights are at rest.
9. The directions of the forces should be shown by arrows.
 10. The scale should be so selected as to get a fairly large
parallelogram.
11.The zero error in the spring balance must be noted
carefully and necessary correction should be applied.

SOURCES OF ERROR :-
1. Slight friction may be present at the pulley even after
oiling.
2. Hangers and slotted weights may have weights slightly
different from the marked values.
3. Slight error due to parallax may occur while marking the
position of the thread.