PHYSICS LAB MANUAL 2024

Applied Physics Lab (PH-111L)

(Fall 2024)
Lab Report # 03

Submitted By:
Name: ________________
Registration No: ________________

Submitted To:
Engr. Mazhar Iqbal

Department of Electrical Engineering

Air University - Aerospace and Aviation Campus,
Kamra
 PHYSICS LAB MANUAL 2024

AIR UNIVERSITY, AEROSPACE & AVIATION

CAMPUS KAMRA
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

EXPERIMENT NO 3

Objective: To verify the addition of vectors and unknown resultant using force table
experimentally and algebraically
LAB ASSESSMENT:
Excellent Good Average (1- Unsatisfactory
Mapping Attributes
(5) (3-4) 2) (0)
Apparatus Setup

CLO1 Experimental
Procedure
Investigation

Fulfill Assigned Tasks

CLO3
Shares in work of team

Total Marks: ______________ Obtained Marks: ________________

LAB REPORT ASSESSMENT:

Excellent Good (3- Average Unsatisfactory
Mapping Attributes
(5) 4) (1-2) (0)

Calculations and Results

Analysis Question &

CLO4 Conclusion

Total Marks: Obtained Marks:

Date: Signature:
 PHYSICS LAB MANUAL 2024
EXPERIMENT NO 3:
Vector addition using Force Table
OBJECTIVE:
To verify the addition of vectors and unknown resultant using force table
experimentally and algebraically.

THEORY:
A vector is a mathematical object used to represent quantities, which have two (or
more) independent dimensions, such as magnitude and direction. The rules of scalar
arithmetic and algebra do not apply to vectors. Today we will examine the rules of
algebraic vector addition. There are three methods that can be used: graphical,
analytical, and experimental. In two dimensions a vector can be defined by one of the
following orthogonal representations, Cartesian or polar coordinates.

Where î, ĵ are unit vectors along the x and y-axes of a Cartesian coordinate system
respectively. In polar coordinates,
A is the magnitude of the vector (its length) and θA is the angle to the vector as
measured counter-clockwise from the positive x-axis of a Cartesian coordinate system.
Bold characters are vector quantities and non-bold characters are scalar quantities. The
projections of the vector A upon the Cartesian axis are: (i.e., polar to Cartesian
transformation).

To transform from the Cartesian representation to the polar representation.

The angle is measured counter-clockwise from the positive x-axis (which is defined to
be at zero degrees). A second vector can be defined as:

The sum of the two vectors is:

To investigate the nature of vector addition experimentally we will use a force table to
add two vectors by measuring the net effect of the forces when the system is at
equilibrium. Newtons Second Law gives the following equation for forces acting on a
point when the acceleration of the point is zero:
 PHYSICS LAB MANUAL 2024

, when Newtons second law is applied, yields:

This means that in order to achieve equilibrium on the force table, the resultant vector
must be placed in its complementary position.
A force table consists of a circular platform supported by a heavy tripod base. The
circular platform has a graduated degree scale around its rim and a small peg located
directly in the center. Four cords are attached to a metal ring placed over a peg in the
center of the platform and the cords are connected over pulleys to weight hangers, as
shown in Figure 1.
 PHYSICS LAB MANUAL 2024

Figure 1 an assembled force table

Tension forces are applied to the ring by varying the total mass on each weight hanger
and moving the pulleys to change the direction in which each force acts. The ring is in a
state of
static

equilibrium when it is over the peg but not touching the peg, as shown in figure 2.

Figure 2 Overhead view of ring and peg position for system in and not in equilibrium
 PHYSICS LAB MANUAL 2024
APPARTUS:
1. Force Table with 3 pulleys
2. 3 Weight hangers
3. Set of slotted weights (masses)
4. String and ring assembly that usually comes with the force table
5. Protractor
6. Bubble Level

PROCEDURE:
• Use the bubble level to check if the circular platform is horizontal. Use the leveling
screws to make the necessary adjustments.
• Ring should be in the middle.
• The threads on the all the pulleys must be passes through the same angles in outer
circles of force table. The thread should pass through the middle of the peg.
PART (A):

• In this part we will find the resultant of two known forces by force table and then we
will verify it by algebraic method.
• Mount a first pulley at 45° and attach a mass of 150 g to the chord running over it.
Remember that the holder is part of the mass.
• Mount a second pulley at 85° and attach a mass of 250 g to the chord running over
it.
• Holding a third chord in your hand, find the direction in which a third force should
act in order to balance the system. Set the cord on a pulley in the proper position
and add weights to the holder until the system is in static equilibrium. It may be
necessary to adjust the position of the weight holder to achieve equilibrium.
• Now record masses, angles and forces in the calculation part (A).
• Now you can find resultant of two forces experimentally by subtracting 180° from
the angle of third force.
• Now verify your result by drawing vector diagram and using component method to
get the magnitude and angle of third force. Then find the resultant of two forces.
• Now compare the values of resultant vector by both methods.
PART (B):

• In this part we will find the resultant of two known forces by force table and then we
will verify it by algebraic method.
• Mount a first pulley (F 1) at 30° and attach a mass of 100 g to the chord running over
it. Remember that the holder is part of the mass.
• Mount a second pulley (F2) at 150° and attach a mass of 150 g to the chord
running over it.
 PHYSICS LAB MANUAL 2024
• Holding a third chord in your hand, find the direction in which a third force should
act in order to balance the system. Set the cord on a pulley in the proper position
and add weights to the holder until the system is in static equilibrium. It may be
necessary to adjust the position of the weight holder to achieve equilibrium.
• Now record masses, angles and forces in the calculation part (B).
• Now you can find resultant of two forces experimentally by subtracting 180° from
the angle of third force.
• Now verify your result by drawing vector diagram and using component method to
get the magnitude of balancing force. Then find the resultant of two forces.
• Now compare the values of resultant vector by both methods.
PART (C):

• In this part we will find the magnitude and angle of second forces by experimentally
method and then we will verify the result by algebraic method.
• Now you have given the magnitude and angle of the balancing force. You have
given F1 magnitude and angle. Adjust the F 2 angle and magnitude so that system is
in equilibrium.
• Mount a first pulley (F 1) at 85° and attach a mass of 150 g.
• Mount a second pulley (F 3) at 283° and attach a mass of 218 g.
• Now place the third pulley (F2) (which is actually second force) and find the
direction in which a second force should act in order to balance the system. Set the
cord on a pulley in the proper position and add weights to the holder until the
system is in static equilibrium.
• Ring must be in the middle. When system in the equilibrium position then record the
forces magnitude in calculation part (C).
• Now verify the values by algebraic method.
CALCULATIONS:
PART (A)
1. Weight of the hanger=50 g
2. Record the experimental values here.
Forces Force Magnitude Mass Angle
(N) (g) (𝜃 °)
F1 150 45
F2 250 85
F3

Magnitude of resultant force F R=__________N

 PHYSICS LAB MANUAL 2024
Direction of resultant force 𝜃 𝑅 = 𝜃 3=___________

3. Draw the vector diagram and calculate the resultant force by component method.
Components Force F1 Force F2 Resultant Force F 3

X-component 𝐹 1𝑋 = 𝐹 1 cos 𝜃 = 𝐹 2𝑋 = 𝐹 2 cos 𝜃 = 𝐹𝑋 =

Y-component 𝐹 1𝑌 = 𝐹 1 sin 𝜃 = 𝐹 2𝑌 = 𝐹 2 sin 𝜃 = 𝐹𝑌 =

Magnitude of resultant force F R =__________N

Direction of resultant force 𝜃 𝑅 𝐹𝑋 =___________

VECTOR DIAGRAM:

PART (B)
4. Record the value of F 3 through experiment.
Forces Force Magnitude Mass Angle
(N) (g) (𝜃 °)
F1 100 30
F2 150 150
F3

Magnitude of resultant force F R=__________N

Direction of resultant force 𝜃 𝑅 =___________

5. Draw the vector diagram and calculate the resultant force by component method.
 PHYSICS LAB MANUAL 2024
Components Force F1 Force F2 Resultant Force F R

X-component 𝐹 1𝑋 = 𝐹 1 cos 𝜃 = 𝐹 2𝑋 = 𝐹 2 cos 𝜃 = 𝐹𝑋 =

Y-component 𝐹 1𝑌 = 𝐹 1 sin 𝜃 = 𝐹 2𝑌 = 𝐹 2 sin 𝜃 = 𝐹𝑌 =

Magnitude of resultant force F R =__________N

Direction of resultant force 𝜃 𝑅 𝐹𝑋 =___________

VECTOR DIAGRAM:

PART (C)
6. Record the experimental values here.
Forces Force Magnitude Mass Angle
(N) (g) (𝜃 °)
F1 150 85
F2
F3 218 283

Magnitude of resultant force F 2=__________N

Direction of resultant force 𝜃 2=__________

Magnitude of resultant force F R=__________N

 PHYSICS LAB MANUAL 2024
Direction of resultant force 𝜃 𝑅 =__________

7. Draw the vector diagram and calculate the resultant force by component method.
Components Force F1 Force F2 Resultant Force F R

X-component 𝐹 1𝑋 = 𝐹 1 cos 𝜃 = 𝐹 2𝑋 = 𝐹 2 cos 𝜃 = 𝐹𝑋 =

Y-component 𝐹 1𝑌 = 𝐹 1 sin 𝜃 = 𝐹 2𝑌 = 𝐹 2 sin 𝜃 = 𝐹𝑌 =

Magnitude of resultant force FR =__________N

Direction of resultant force 𝜃 𝑅 𝐹𝑋 =___________

VECTOR DIAGRAM:
ANALYSIS QUESTIONS:
1. What are the possible error while performing the force table experiment?

2. If a force F1= 15 N is applied at an angle of 35° and F2=10 N is applied at an angle of

70° then what will be the angle of resultant force? Draw vector diagram.

CONCLUSION: