LAB1: VECTOR

ADDITION OF
FORCES Lab Date: 08/25/2023

TA: Kathryn Leavitt

Name: Edna Djamea Quansah

Partners: Lola Walters, Jonathan Rascon

Physics 1310L
INTRODUCTION:
The objective of the experiment aimed to ascertain the resultant of combining two vectors. A
vector is a quantity characterized by both its magnitude and direction. An illustrative instance of
vector quantities is found in forces, which encompass any influence capable of altering an
object's motion in the absence of opposing factors. Forces are considered concurrent when
multiple forces act upon a single body, intersecting at a shared point.
The amalgamation of these forces generates a resultant, equating to the vector sum of the
constituent forces. As vector quantities encompass both magnitude and direction, the
consideration of both aspects is imperative during vector addition.
This operation is known as vector summation, symbolized by the equation: R = F1 + F2 + F3,
where R signifies the resultant, and F1, F2, and F3 denote the individual forces subjected to
addition. Each of these forces embodies both x and y components alongside their magnitudes.
Determining the x and y components necessitates the incorporation of sign (+/-), magnitude, and
trigonometric functions.
Consequently, the x-component can be computed using: F1x = F1 * cos (θ1), and the y-
component using: F1y = F1 * sin (θ1), whereas the magnitude of the force is denoted as F1 = |F|.
Following the identification of the x and y components for each vector, the corresponding x and
y components of the resultant can be derived via vector addition: Rx = F1x + F2x + F3x, and Ry
= F1y + F2y + F3y. The magnitude of the resultant is determined using the Pythagorean
Theorem: √ (Rx^2 + Ry^2). This mathematical relationship is captured by the formula:

√ a2 +b 2+ c 2 =R

Set up

MATERIALS.
1. Mass Set
2. Mass hangers
3. Force Table
 4. Chords
5. Three Pulleys

METHODOLOGY:

Sure, here are the rewritten steps:

1. Begin by determining the masses for all three cases using the provided information prior
to commencing the experiment.
2. If the ring isn't secured by a pin, ensure that it's held at the center of the table by one of
the lab partners throughout steps 2 and 3.
3. Set pulley position A to the specified angle using the counterclockwise scale. Place the
masses designated for position A on the holder to calculate the total mass, incorporating
it into the mass already present on the pulley.
4. Duplicate the procedure from step 3 for the second position, referred to as B.
5. Gradually adjust and add masses to the third position until equilibrium is achieved, and
the pin settles at the midpoint.
6. Document the mass and the angle of the final position, denoted as R. This position
represents the resultant of the initial two pulleys or vectors.

DATA:
Forces from each case:
Force=Mass *acceleration due to gravity
F=m*g
Case Vector A, force Vector B, force A angles B angles
in N in N (degrees) (degrees)
1 0.98 0.686 0 60
2 0.98 0.98 90 315
3 1.372 0.98 180 150

The table below shows the data from the three cases
Case θ (degrees) Mass(g) Mass(kg)
1 204 150 0.15
 2 200 72 0.072
3 350 335 0.335

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS:

The resultant forces can be calculated by multiplying the mass (kg) by gravity (ms^-2):
Case1
F=ma, where m is the mass and a is the acceleration due to gravity.
F=0.15*9.81=1.4715
Case2
F=0.70632
Case3
F=0.335
By resolving all the vectors into X and Y components;
For the X components,

f x =fcos θ , for example, for vector A in case 1,

fx=1.4717 cos 204=−1.070

For the Y components,

f y =fsin θ , for example, for where, θ is the angle f makes with the system.

Case1
Vectors X Y
A 0.98 0
B 0.343 0.5941
R(A+B) -1.344 -0.5985
 0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4
Resultant(A+B) VectorA
0.3 VectorB
Resultant(A+B)
0.2
Vector B
0.1

0
-0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
-0.1

Figure1
In Figure one, we can see that our values are very consistent and the resultant can really be
seen in our figure.
The resultant vector for case 1 is given as:

√ x 2+ y2 =R √(−1.344 )2+(−0.5985)2 =1.4621

Case2
Vectors X Y
A 0 0.98
B 0.693 -0.693
R(A+B) -0.664 -0.242
 1.2

1
Vector B

0.8

vectorA
0.6 vectorB
Resultant vector(A+B)
0.4
Resultant(A+B) VectorA

0.2

0
-0.8 -0.7 -0.6 -0.5 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0 0.1

Figure 2
In Figure 2, we have consistent values, and our resultant is shown in the graph.
The magnitude of the resultant vector is given as:

√ x 2+ y2 =R √(−0.664)2+(−0.242)2 =0.706

Case3
Vectors X Y
A -1.372 0
B -0.849 0.49
R(A+B) 0.3299 -0.05817
0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3 Vector B
Resultant(A+B) resultant
Vector A 0.2

0.1

0
-2.5 -2 -1.5 -1Vector B
-0.5 0
Figure 3
In Figure 3, we can see that there is a huge error margin on our resultant calculation. Thus our
resultant is not really seen in the graph.
The magnitude of the resultant vector for case 3:

√(0.3299)2 +(−0.05817)2=0.3349

DISCUSSIONS:
The friction caused by the strings and pulley system may have jeopardized the accuracy of the
data collected during this lab. Although the force of friction was not taken into account in the
calculations and measurements for this particular experiment, it does contribute to the overall
balance of forces. Similar disparities could have resulted from the experiment's supposed
correctness of the masses used; for example, a mass labeled "50 g" was considered as 50 grams
even if it might have actually been 51 grams.
The values for the resultant in Tables 2 and 3 differ from the true value because of random,
human error. This could have been the result of individual bias when trying to achieve
equilibrium. The measurer may have thought the apparatus was in equilibrium when it was not.
As a result, wrong measurements were taken resulting in values that differ from the true value.
Case 1: %error=
¿ accepted value−experimental value∨ ¿ =¿ 1.4621−1.4715∨ ¿ ¿ ¿=0.009148
accepted value 1.4621
With the percentage error being very small, it shows how accurate the experimental values are
close to the actual value.

CONCLUSION:
The outcomes of this experiment supported the equilibrium theory.
It is also notable that the equilibrium vectors and the resulting vectors both showed a small
scale. The relative insignificance of these vectors in terms of magnitude is highlighted by this
aspect of the findings. Further research into these scaled-down vector values' possible
consequences is necessary because they may have an impact on the system's overall dynamics
and force balance.