Experiment #2: Vector Analysis

Summer Khan
Physics 175 Lab
October 13th, 2014

Objective:

The objective of this lab is to learn about the various methods to calculate the vectors and
then apply them. Similar to the definition in lecture, we learnt in lab that vectors have both
magnitude and direction. In this lab experiment, we learnt how to use Pythagorean Theorem, the
parallelogram method, and the polygon method to determine resultant, which is considered a
vector quantity that measures from the tail of the first vector to the head of the last vector.
Theory:
As mentioned in the objective, our goal for this lab is to learn to use different methods to
measure the resultant. In Table 1, it was necessary to use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the
resultant, in which R = (FA2+FB2), and then the angle of the resultant which can be calculated by
use of = tan-1(FB/FA). This would give you both the force and direction of the resultant, which
are essential for a vector quantity. The parallelogram is not as accurate; however, a similar
answer can be determined. For this method, a parallelogram can be drawn by placing the vector
within a parallelogram and then measuring the resultant from tail-to-head. A protractor is then
used to determine the angle between the x-axis and the resultant. The polygon method is almost
similar in that it incorporates multiple vectors which are attached in a head-to-tail fashion. After
attaching all the vectors, the resultant can be measured from the tail of the first vector to the head
of the last vector. In comparison to the other methods, the analytical method is more accurate and
can be used to compute the x and y components of each force. After, they are summed up if there
is more than one vector, the resultant is calculated with R = (FX2 + Y2) and the angle is
obtained by = tan-1(FB/ FA). Lastly, another more hands-on method is the experimental
method which incorporates the use of the force table and different weights to determine the
equilibrant force.

Formulas:
Force
Force = mass (kg) x acceleration (9.80 m/s2) = mg
Pythagorean Method
R= (FA + FB)
= tan-1(FB/FA)
Sum of Components
FX= FAX +FBX +FCX
FY= FAY +FBY +FCY
Analytical Method
R = (FX2 + Y2)
= tan-1(FB/ FA)
Materials:

Ruler
Protractor
Force Table
Weights
Pulley
Mass Holders

Diagrams:

Procedure:

As mentioned earlier, this lab focuses on using different methods to determine the
resultant. The first method we used was the Pythagorean Theorem which incorporated data from
Problem 1, which was then recorded into Table 2.
Afterwards, we used the parallelogram method on graph paper for Problem 2 to
determine the resultant. Before drawing, we made an appropriate scale of 1cm = 1 N. We then
graphed it and obtained our resultant by measuring the diagonal and the angle by use of
protractor. We recorded our results in Table 2.
Next, the polygon method was used to solve Problem 3. We used a similar scale of 3cm =
1 N. We measured the resultant from the tail of the first vector to the head of the third and used
the protractor to measure the direction of the resultant. We recorded our results in Table 2.
For a more accurate answer, we used the analytical method for Problem 3. The x and ycomponents were recorded in Table 3. We then found the sum of the x and y-components and
recorded them in Table 4. We used this formula, R = (FX2 + Y2), to find the resultant and used
= tan-1(FB/ FA) to find the angle of the resultant vector. Both these values were recorded
in Table 2.
Lastly, the use of the force table was incorporated in the experimental method. We had to
determine the equilibrant force by placing an appropriate amount of weight onto the mass holder.
After placing the pulleys at their respective angles (and placing upon them the weights), we had
to place the resultant with its weights to balance the other forces. We had to play around with
it until the ring was centered and did not touch the center post. Our results were recorded in
Table 5.

Tabulations:

Table I - Conversion of Mass to Force

Problem

FA (N)

FB (N)

FC (N)

0.980 N

1.960 N

____

2.940 N

3.920 N

____

0.980 N

1.960 N

0.490 N

Table II Resultants
Problem

Resultant (N)

Direction (degrees)

2.19 N

63.4

6.70 N

83

2.6 N

17

Table III Components

FAX (N)

FAY(N)

FBX (N)

FBY (N)

FCX (N)

FCY (N)

0.98 N

0N

1.7 N

0.98 N

0.42 N

0.25 N

Table IV Sum of Components

Fx

FY
2.26 N

Resultant
0.73 N

17.9o

2.37 N

Table V Experimental Results

Problem

Equilibrant
(grams)

Direction

Resultant (N)

Direction

220g

241.5

2.156 N

63

650g

259.75

6.517 N

83

230g

197

2.499 N

17

390g

Calculations:
Converting From Mass to Time
Force = mass (kg) x acceleration (9.80 m/s2)
1.

(0.100 kg) (9.80 m/s2) = 0.980 N

(0.200 kg) (9.80 m/s2) = 1.960 N

2. (0.300 kg) (9.80 m/s2) = 2.940 N

(0.400 kg) (9.80 m/s2) = 3.920 N
3. (0.100 kg) (9.80 m/s2) = 0.980 N
(0.200 kg) (9.80 m/s2) = 1.960 N
(0.050 kg) (9.80 m/s2) = 0.490 N

285

Pythagorean Theorem
R = (FA2 + FB2)
R = (0.9802 + 1.9602) = 2.19 N
= tan-1 (FB/FA)
= 63.43o

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this experiment helped us to learn and use different ways to measure the
resultant. This experiment taught us how to find the vector analytically, which is shown to be the
most accurate, and how to represent the vector graphically. Such calculations are incorporated in
everyday life and play a key role in terms of accuracy. An example of that was the more handson aspect of the experiment that featured the force table which really solidified our
understanding of vector analysis.