Experiment Number 2

VECTOR ADDITION

BATA, Janine C.

Grade 12-2A

Group 1

Mr. Michael J. Lajara

August 23, 2017

 VECTOR ADDITION

ABSTRACT

According to the activity paper, scalars are quantities with magnitude only like volume,

time, length, density and energy. They are usually represented by a letter. Scalars can be add

using simple addition or subtraction. While vectors, are quantities that have magnitude and a

direction in space. The sum of two or more vector is called a resultant vector. In this experiment,

we ought to determine the equilibrant of the three vectors. Then we find the resultant vectors of

the 2 weights using different such as: force table method, graphical method, analytical method.

We then computed for the percentage error for the force table and analytical then the percentage

error of the graphical and analytical. Lastly, we compare it to the equilibrant force.

I. Introduction

Mathematicians and scientists call a quantity which depends on direction a vector

quantity. A quantity which does not depend on direction is called a scalar quantity. Scalar

quantities are described completely by a single number (with appropriate units) representing the

magnitude of the quantity; examples are mass, time, temperature, energy, and volume. For vector

quantities, such as velocity, force, and acceleration, the magnitude is accompanied by a

directional quality. (Vectors will be denoted by A and unit vectors by î.)

A vector is an object that has both a magnitude and a direction. Geometrically, we can

picture a vector as a directed line segment, whose length is the magnitude of the vector and with

an arrow indicating the direction. The direction of the vector is from its tail to its head.

Two vectors are the same if they have the same magnitude and direction. This means that if we
take a vector and translate it to a new position (without rotating it), then the vector we obtain at

the end of this process is the same vector we had in the beginning.

Two examples of vectors are those that represent force and velocity. Both force and velocity

are in a particular direction. The magnitude of the vector would indicate the strength of the force

or the speed associated with the velocity.

When scalar quantities are used in calculations, the ordinary rules of arithmetic apply; but

when vector quantities are involved, the process is more complex since the direction of the

vector must be taken into account. In this experiment, three methods for vector addition,

graphical, analytical, and experimental, will be examined.

II. Objectives

1. To measure the equilibrant force using the force table

2. To determine resultant vector graphically and analytically and compare it with the

equilibrant force.

III. Procedure

Position the three super Tie three strings to the ring

pulleys on the force located at the center of the force
table at your desired table. Place the string over a
pulley and tie a weight hanger
angle.
to it.

Adjust the 3 Connect another string

Add any mass to
weights by pulling on the right at the
weight hanger to
the spring balance. center of the force
provide forces.
Determine the table and attach a
equilibrant of the spring balance.
three vectors.
 Find the resultant
vector of the 2 weights
Record your data using graphical and Compare it with the
analytical method. equilibrant force.
Record your data.

IV. Results and Discussion

Forces Magnitude, N Direction

F1 0.98 N 30o N of E
F2 1.47 N 40o N of W
F3 1.96 55o S of W
FR (Force Table Method) 1.80 N 5o S of W
FR (Graphical Method) 1.43 N 7o S of W
FR (Analytical Method) 1.41 N 7.33o S of W
% Error
27.66% 31.79%
Force Table and Analytical
% Error
1.42% 4.50%
Graphical and Analytical

Based from the results, the F1 obtained a magnitude of 0.98 N and a direction 30o N of E,

the F2 obtained a magnitude of 1.47 N with a direction of 40o N of W and the F3 obtained a

magnitude of 1.96 N with a direction of 55o S of W. The formula FR = √Σ𝐹𝑥 2 + Σ𝐹𝑦2 is used to

accomplish the magnitude of the analytical method wherein the value of x is determined by

multiplying the magnitude of the value of F to the cos of its corresponding angle or direction,

while the value of y is determined by multiplying the magnitude of F to the sin of its

corresponding angle or direction.

 Through the use of the force table, the force table method was obtained while the

graphical method was obtained through the use of a diagram or scale of drawing wherein the

length of the arrow serves as the magnitude while the head represents the direction. The basis of

the scale is 0.98 N = 1cm.

According to the results and computation for the percent error, the force table method and

the analytical method has a huge percent error for magnitude which was 27.66% while the

direction has bigger percent error which was 31.79%. On the other hand, the graphical method

and the analytical method both have minimal percent error on its magnitude and direction which

was 1.42% for their magnitude and 4.50% for their direction. From this, you can see the accuracy

and precision of each of the different methods used in order to find the vector quantity.

V. CONCLUSION

The purpose of this lab was to gain experience working with vector calculations. The

most important aspect to remember when working with vectors is that they must be broken down

into their horizontal and vertical components before any calculations are made.

The discrepancies between the graphical, experimental, and analytical results are relatively

minimal, the largest discrepancy existing between the calculations from the analytical and

graphical analysis. The analytical solution is the most accurate, as it was calculated using vector

formulas while the graphical approach involved drawing free hand lines in the hopes that they

were parallel to the original vectors. Additional sources of error may have been the exculsion of

the mass in the strings, but it is unlikely that the masses would change our results. Friction is an

additional concern but is again unlikely to have changed results drastically.

VI. REFERENCES

Pelzek, K.(2011). Force Table Lab. Retrieved from

https://sites.google.com/site/katiepelzeksapphysicslabs/force-table-lab

Frank D and Nykamp DQ. “An introduction to vectors.” Retrieved from Math Insight.

http://mathinsight.org/vector_introduction