Experiment 5: Vector Addition Part 2

Figure 5.1: Force Table

EQUIPMENT

Force Table
(4) Pulleys
(4) Mass Hangers
Masses
Level (TA’s Table)

1
2 Experiment 5: Vector Addition Part 2

Advance Reading standard position angle.

Vectors and vector addition (Serway and Vuille 1.9- Similarly, we can find the y-component by trigonome-
1.10) try or by using Ay = AsinθA where A is the magnitude
of vector A � given
� and θA is the direction of vector A
Objective
as a standard position angle. Standard position angles
The objective of this lab is to add vectors using the are measured counter-clockwise from the positive hor-
component method and to verify the results using a izontal axis (usually +x). And do the same for vector
force table. � and find Bx = BcosθB and By = BsinθB .
B

Theory Once every vector is written in terms of its compo-

nents, we can find the overall x-component and y-
Vectors are quantities that have both magnitude and component, Rx = Ax + Bx and Ry = Ay + By . Those
direction. When vector quantities are added together, � If we leave R
are the components of the resultant R. �
the result is called the resultant. �
written in terms of its components, we say that R is
� and vector in component form or vector form. Sometimes that
The figure illustrates how to add vector A � = Rx x̂ + Ry ŷ
� = Rx î + Ry ĵ or R
� � using is written as R
B, also known as finding the resultant vector R,
�
or R = �Rx , Ry �. But usually we prefer to write
the component method. We take each vector and
decompose it (break it down) into its x-component and physics quantities in polar form, which means giv-
y-component. The x-component of a vector is its pro- ing the magnitude and direction.
jection onto the x-axis. We can find the x-component Looking at the largest right triangle in the figure, we
� either by: 1) using right-triangle trigonom-
of vector A � is the hy-
can see that the magnitude of vector R �
etry (SOHCAHTOA) and including a positive or neg-
potenuse of that right triangle and so R = Rx2 + Ry2 .
ative sign based on the direction of the vector OR 2)
using Ax = AcosθA where A is the magnitude of vec- The direction of vector R� is the angle θ which we can
tor A� and θA is the direction of vector A � given as a Ry
find using tanθ = Rx .

Figure 5.2: Vector Addition

Experiment 5: Vector Addition Part 2 3

Be careful when using the inverse tangent function, Force Tables

called tan−1 or arctan. This function only ever re-
We will use a force table to verify our results of vector
turns values in quadrants 1 and 4, but we want to be
addition and gain a hands-on perspective. The force
able to find resultant vectors in all four quadrants. We
table is a circular steel disc with angles 0◦ to 360◦ in-
can use the property that the inverse tangent function
scribed on the edge. There is a pin in the center of the
repeats every 180◦ . If tan−1 gives a value that is in
force table and a metal ring around the pin.
the wrong quadrant, add 180◦ to get the correct angle.
You will know if tan−1 gave you an answer that is in If you havent seen forces in lecture yet, it will be
the wrong quadrant by looking at the signs of Rx and enough to know, for now, that forces are pushes or
Ry . pulls on an object. We will cause forces to be exerted
on the center ring by hanging masses from strings that
are tied to the center ring. The force exerted on the
center ring is equal to the weight of the hanging mass.
The magnitude of this force is:
W = mg
where W is the weight in Newtons (N), m is the mass in
kilograms (kg), and g is the magnitude of gravitational
acceleration on Earth’s surface (9.80 m/s2 , though for
this experiment you may approximate to 10.00 m/s2 ).
The direction of this force is controlled by moving the
pulleys that are clamped to the force table.

When all the forces are balanced, they add to zero.

The ring will be centered around the pin, not touching
it, and the system is in equilibrium. If there are mul-
tiple forces acting on an object, their combined effect
is the vector sum of the forces the resultant. The
force that would balance out the resultant and place
the system in equilibrium is called the equilibrant.

Percent Difference vs Percent Error

When we compare a measured value to a calculated

or theoretical value, we use a quantity called percent
error to quantify how far off the measurement is from
what we expected to get. The definition of percent
error is:
measuredvalue − expectedvalue
% error = × 100
expectedvalue
(5.1)
If the percent error is positive, that means the mea-
sured value is above the expected value. The percent
error is negative when the measured value is below the
expected value.

Often though, we won’t have a theoretical or calcu-

lated value. Instead, we will compare two measured
results to see how different they are from one other,
as a percentage of the mean of the two measurements.
This quantity is called percent difference and is given
by:

|value1 − value2 |
% difference = value1 +value2
× 100 (5.2)
2
4 Prelab 5: Vector Addition Part 2

Name:

1. What is the objective of this lab?

2. A vector is given in terms of its x-component Dx = -3.4 m and its y-component Dy = +2.1 m.
a) What is this vector in polar form?

b) Which quadrant is this vector in?

3. A vector is given in terms of its magnitude, v = 8.7 m/s and its direction, 256◦ standard position.
a) What is this vector in component form?

b) Which quadrant is this vector in?

Give the angle shown in the diagram as a:

a) positive standard position angle

b) negative standard position angle

◦
c) east of south

◦
d) south of east
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Name: Section: Date:

Worksheet - Exp 3: Vector Addition Part 2

Objective: The objective of this lab is to add vectors using the component method and to verify the results using
a force table.

Procedure:

Part 1: Adding 2 Vectors

1. Given A� = 2.5N at 40 degrees and B � = 3.2N at 250 degrees, record them in the table and use component
� � B.
addition to find the resultant vector R=A+ � Show your work in the space below. (10 points table, 5 points
math)

Vector Magnitude (N) Direction, θ x-component (N) y-component (N)

�
A

�
B

Resultant
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Part 2: Adding 3 Vectors

2. Given that C� = 1.5N at 345 degrees, record the vectors in the table and use component addition to find the
� A+
resultant vector R= � B+
� C� . Show your work in the space below. (10 points table, 5 points math)

Vector Magnitude (N) Direction, θ x-component (N) y-component (N)

�
A

�
B

�
C

Resultant
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Part 3: Verify Result from Part 2

3. Use the level to make sure the surface of the force table is horizontal.
� is equivalent to A+
4. Use the force table to determine the equilibrant vector and test whether the resultant R � B+
� C.
�
(10 points)

Vector Magnitude (N) Direction, θ

�
A

�
B

�
C

�
E

�
R

5. Compare your computation of the resultant vector (Part 2) with the force table measurement of the resultant
vector (Part 3). Show your calculations for percent error in the space below. (15 points)

Part 2 Part 3 Percent Error

�
Magnitude of R

�
Direction of R
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6. What sources of error could be contributing to:

a) Head-to-tail method of vector addition (5 points)

b) Component method of vector addition (5 points)

c) Experimental, force-table method of vector addition (5 points)

7. Four vectors are all in the same quadrant (ex: quadrant 1). Can the sum of these vectors equal zero. Explain
why or why not using components. (5 points)

8. Four vectors are all in the same two adjacent quadrants (ex: quadrants 1 and 2). Can the sum of these vectors
equal zero? Explain why or why not using components. (quadrants do not contain the adjacent axis, a vector
lying on the positive x axis is not in quadrant 1) (5 points)

9. Describe what properties of the four vectors would be required for the sum of the four vectors to equal zero. (5
points)
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10. Design an experiment on the force table that would show that breaking a vector into its x- and y-components is
valid. (15 points)
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