III.

Analysis of Data
During the discussion, we defined vectors as physical
quantities that have both magnitude and direction. In this
experiment, we used the force table to obtain four forces. We
adjusted the angles and weights so that the ring will be on the
center. The ring must be at the center so that the vectors are at
equilibrium.
DATA FROM TRIAL 2 OF THE EXPERIMENT

F1=75 g

1=42

F2 =75 g

2=106

F3 =120 g

3=217

F 4=80 g

4 =320

Using the first three vectors ( F1 , F2 , F3 ), we computed

for the resultant vector using polygon and component method.
The resultant vector must be equal to the fourth vector we
obtained ( F 4 ) so that the forces will be at an equilibrium state.
We used the data to compute for the resultant vector using
two methods. First is the Polygon Method where we connect the
vectors and measure for the resultant vector. Component Method
is another method, it is an analytical method where we used sine
and cosine laws and theories.
By using the polygon method, we obtained R=F 4 =89 g . This
gives us 11.25

error. And by using the component method, we

computed R=F 4 =78.73 g which has 1.59

error.

From these computations, we can observe that the data

obtained using component method has lower percentage error

compared to the data from polygon method. Thus, we can say

that component method will yield more accurate results.

IV. CONCLUSION
Physical quantities can either be a vector or a scalar. Vectors
have both magnitude and direction. Unlike vectors, scalar
quantities only have magnitude.
In the experiment, the forces are at equilibrium when the
ring is at the center of the force table. Equilibrium state could be
considered to be stable, balanced, or unchanging. The forces are
at a balanced state or equilibrium when their sum is equal to zero
or R=V 4 . This is the reason why we used V 4 as our resultant
vector.
From the experiment, we can conclude that from the two
methods we used to compute for the resultant vector, component
method is more accurate to use because it uses mathematical
theories and laws since it yield lower percentage error.
In Civil Engineering, we apply equilibrium of forces to design
building that will remain standing. An example of its applications
is in designing the foundation of a building. The weight force of
the walls and roof combined pushes down on the foundation. The
wall and foundation will then create an action-reaction pair and
they must be at equilibrium. If the foundation cannot provide an
equal and opposite reaction, the foundation cannot support the
walls and will make the building slant or fall. The roof must also
be able to be supported by the walls and foundation.