Composition of Concurrent Forces

Alphonse Rossaint V. Sambrano

General Physics 1
alphonse_sambrano@dlsu.edu.ph

Abstract—The experiment aims to verify the conditions
required (zero net force) for a system to be in equilibrium
under the influence of coplanar forces, and confirm
Newton’s first law of motion, through the use of a force
table. Results from the force table are to be compared to the
results from the component and graphical method. Results
show that there is a small difference among the methods
that are used. To minimize the percent difference between
the three methods, rounding off must be limited and proper
graph must be ensured.
I. INTRODUCTION
magnitude of the force will be based on F=mg, while
the direction from the markers on the plane.
The objective of the experiment is to determine a
force that balances two other forces by using the
force table and verify the results by comparing the
equilibrant of the forces obtained from the
experiment to data obtained by graphing and by
using the component method.
II. METHODOLOGY

Forces of different magnitude act upon different A force table will be used to demonstrate in
bodies. Forces that act on the same point on the same obtaining the resultant vector, experimentally. A
body are said to be concurrent forces. [1] For a system force table is a lab apparatus that uses three or more
of concurrent forces to be in equilibrium, the forces strings that are all attached to the center. Forces and
that act upon the x-axis and the y-axis must be 0 direction of different measures will be applied and
taking into consideration the direction of these forces. upon applying which, the vector sum of the forces
These forces are called vectors. will be obtained. The strings can be attached to the
center by either tying the ring over the post, which is
Vectors are forces with magnitude and direction. also known as the ring method, or by attaching a
These types of forces can be added using the triangle thread to the center post, or also known as the anchor
rule. [2] Vectors can be deconstructed to several other string method. The preferred method to be used is the
vectors, when added together, produce the original anchor string method.
vector, as long as vectors is a component of the
original vector. [3] This concept involves reducing a The anchor string method is assembled by cutting
vector to forces that act parallel to a coordinate axis, two 60cm strings, knotting them together at their
which are called scalars or components. The centers and inserting a 4th string down the center and
components of a vector are in the x-axis or y-axis. tie the string to a leg. The other strings will be
Adding the components that act in the x and y axis extended over a pully where weights of different
will result to points that can be plotted in the measures will be put to a mass hanger attached to the
cartesian plane, which is the resultant force. [4] ends of the string.

Another way of adding forces is by graphing.

Adding vectors graphically is supported by the
parallelogram rule. [5] This rule is also known as the
tip-to-tail rule. Wherein a vector is drawn with its tail
at the tip of the other vector.

A force table uses the force of gravity acting on a Fig. 1 Anchor string method [6]
hanging mass to obtain the equilibrant vector. The
 A force of 50g at 30° and a force of 100g at 120° of the first force. These will be measured using a
will be applied on the force table. The third string protractor and a ruler.
will serve as the equalizing force wherein, the angle
and the force applied on the third string will be
adjusted until such time that it balances the two other
forces. The system is in equilibrium if the knot is in
the center of the whole. This force is called the
equilibrant force, denoted by 𝐹𝑒 .

The results that are obtained by the experimental

method will be checked using the component and
graphical method. Fig. 3 Vector addition [7]

Component method adds two forces by separating The component method and the graphical method
the x-component and the y-component. This can be will be done on a separate piece of paper. The results
done by using the concepts in trigonometry. 𝐹𝑥 of all methods will be recorded.
denotes the force that is exerted on the x-axis, and
the 𝐹𝑦 in the y-axis. The x of components of different III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
forces will be added, 𝑅𝑥 , and y components for the TABLE I
𝑅𝑦 . R ESULTS OF THE T HREE METHODS OF VECTOR ADDITION
Method Equilibrant
Force Table 1.18 N 274.5°
Experiment
Component 1,089.78N -86.36 or
Method: 273.64 °
Rx: -6.7g
Ry: 111g
Graphical 1.10 N 273.64°
Method
Fig. 2 Components of a force [8] (Polygon
Method)
Once the 𝑅𝑥 and the 𝑅𝑦 are obtained, these must
be combined using the Pythagorean Theorem. In the experimental method, the researchers used
Eq. 1 𝑅 = √𝑅𝑥2 + 𝑅𝑦2 the anchor string method. The researchers were able
to obtain equilibrium upon attaching 120grams of
Finally, the obtaining the angle of the resultant weight to the balancing string in the direction of
force is obtained by the equation below. 273.64°.
𝑅𝑦 In the component method, the equilibrant force on
Eq. 2 tan θ = 𝑅
𝑥 the x-axis is -6.7g and 111g on the y-axis.
Combining the forces by Pythagorean Theorem
Lastly, the graphical method works by drawing the results to 111.20g. Using Eq.2 to solve for the angle,
forces to scale using a ruler and protractor. A force the researchers were able to get 273.64°.
will be drawn with a head and tail. The second force
will start to be drawn at the head of the first force. The equilibrant force obtained graphically by
The resultant vector is the magnitude and the using the polygon method is 111.24g. Using a
direction from the head of the second force to the tail protractor, the obtained angle of the equilibrant force
is 273.64°. The graph is shown below.
 The use of a mass set of smaller quantity is
recommended to obtain more accurate data. Careful
execution of the procedures must alsobe observed. In
this way, the disparity of the data may be avoided.

Fig. 4 Graph of Vectors
All data that were obtained are converted to
Newtons by multiplying the magnitude to 9.8m/s2,
the acceleration of gravity.
The results of the experiments are close to one
another. The main basis for comparison is the
component method because this is done theoretically
unlike the experimental and graphical method which
are prone to human error.
Common errors that may be committed on using
the force table are unequal length of the strings,
inaccurate judgement of attaining the center,
inaccuracy in positioning the setup, and the mass set
with accuracy to 1 gram only. These may be the
reason why the magnitude obtained experimentally
are larger than what was obtained theoretically.
Graphically, the errors that may be committed are
inaccuracy in measurement of direction, inaccuracy
of plotting lines, and misalignment. These may be
the reason why the direction obtained in the
Graphical method is a bit far from the other two.
IV. CONCLUSIONS
REFERENCES
[1] Bhattacharjya, R. (n.d.) ME 101: Engineering Mechanics.
Indian Insititute of Technology Guhawati.
[2] Beer, F., Johnston, E., Mazurek, D., & Eisenberg, E.,
(2009). Vector mechanics for Engineer 9th edition. NY:
Mcgrawhill Companies.
[3] Concurrent Forces (n.d.) Retrieved from
https://oli.cmu.edu/jcourse/workbook/activity/page?conte
xt=df3db4cc0a0001dc636cfeef471677d8
[4] Ruina, A., & Pratap, R. (2010). Introduction to statistics and
dynamics. Retrieved from
http://ruina.tam.cornell.edu/Book/RuinaPratap8-21-
10.pdf
[5] Hartsuijker, C., & Welleman, J. (2006) Engineering
Mechanics: Volume 1. NL: Springer.
[6] Vectors Practicum II (n.d.) Retrieved from
http://studylib.net/doc/12116339/vectors-practicum-ii-
goal--quantities-experimentally--gra...
[7] Vector Addition Worksheet (n.d.) Retrieved from
http://comprar-en-internet.net/worksheet/wk564935.html
[8] X- and Y-Components of a Force Vector (n.d.) Retrieved
from
http://zonalandeducation.com/mstm/physics/mechanics/forces
/forceComponents/forceComponents.html

The force table experiment was able to acquire

data that is close to the data obtained from the other
two methods. Thus, the objective of the experiment
is fulfilled. This method may be used in obtaining the
resultant force of a system with different forces and
direction. This is verified by the close relationship of
data upon comparison to the methods done
theoretically and graphically.