Chapter 2

An Exercise to Verify the Graphical and Analytical Methods of Determining Resultant Forces.

Introduction:
Vectors plays an important role in many aspects of our everyday lives or of one’s daily routine.
Some people think that vectors are just plain quantities used in physics class. In contrary with
their way of thinking, vectors are actually the foundation of many professions.
A vector is a mathematical quantity that has both a magnitude and direction. A vector is
frequently represented by a line segment with a definite direction, or graphically as an arrow. A
vector is what is needed to “carry” the point A to point B; the Latin word of vector means
“carrier”.
The study of vectors had gone through a lot of revisions, starting from the 19th century where
mathematicians used geometrical representations for complex numbers. Lots of changes and
multiple varieties of altering where conducted to this study, which led to the discovery of the
“vectors” that we all know today.
Operations on vectors are also made possible through time. Addition of vectors was clarified and
can now be done in different ways. Vector addition in graphical way can use the polygon
method, the parallelogram method, or the triangle method. Analytical, a vector addition can be
done through law of sine, law of cosine, or the component method.
Today, vector is used to indicate the directions for many transportation vehicles. Whenever
direction is important in real life, then unit vectors are important. If everything was confined to
move along a straight line, then the unit vectors would not be important. Moving in space, unit of
vectors are more needed. Cars, ships, and planes all move in space. Controlling and trading these
all involve unit vectors.

List of Materials/Equipment:
 Force table
 Weight holder
 Masses
 Protractor
 Ruler
 Strings
Procedure:
The laboratory instructor will assign a set of three vectors for each group.
A. Two forces considered
1. With the two vectors given, the first two will be used.
2. Compute the resultant vectors of these two vectors graphical and analytical methods.
These computed values will be classified as the true or accepted values of the
resultant force. With these values, the equilibrant is determined.
3. The experimental value of the magnitude of the resultant force is now analyzed using
the force table. Each of the given forces and equilibrant will be represented by using
the slotted masses place in the weight hanger/holder.
4. See the system in the equilibrium by considering the ring at the center of force table,
this is done by displacing the ring of force table. Tap the table. Once it returns to its
central position. The extended forces are balanced.
Note:
The mass of the weight hanger/holder is included in the magnitude of the
forces considered.
5. Compute the percentage error using the date gathered.

B. Three forces considered

Data and Result:

Graphical Method
True Value Experimental Value Percentage Error
Resultant Force 13.80N, 81° Below 13°, 81° Below +x- 0%
+x-axis axis
Equilibrant 13.80N, 81° North of 13.80°, 81° North of 0%
East East
Analytical Method
True Value Experimental Value Percentage Error
Resultant Force 13.80N, 81° Below 13.80N, 81° Below 0%
+x-axis +x-axis
Equilibrant 13.80N, 81° North of 13.80N, 81° North of 0%
East East

Analysis of Data:
The data that we have gathered from experiment were analyzed and we have finally arrived to
these interpretation:
1. For the table no. 1, we were given two vectors to be added. We were asked to get its
resultant forced and equilibrant by using the graphical method and the analytical
method. By using these two methods we have arrived at the same resultant force. The
equilibrant of these two vectors has an equal magnitude with the resultant force but
with opposite direction. It shows that both graphical and analytical methods were
effective ways to compute for the sum of the vectors we added.
2. For table no. 2, there were three vectors given. We were asked to add the vectors and
get its resultant force and equilibrant by using both graphical and the analytical
methods. By using these two methods, we have arrived having exactly the same
answer again. We may also use the sum of the first two vectors present in the table as
reference. Adding the third vector to the sum of the table would give us the same
answer too. The resultant force and equilibrant are equal. The only difference is their
direction.

Guide Question:
1) What is the difference between graphical and analytical methods?
2) What is an equilibrant? How does it differ from resultant?
3) Define concurrent forces.
Conclusion/Recommendation
There are many methods we can use to add vector quantities. Graphically, we can use the
parallelogram method and polygon method. Analytically, the law of sine, law of cosine, and
component method can be used. These different methods can give us different answers
depending on the way we handle them. If we use the correct and exact ways to add the vectors,
may it be graphically or analytically, we can rest assured that we will get the same or maybe
close answer.
From the experiment that we had conducted, we have compared the answers that we got
from adding the vectors graphically and analytically. We were able to get the same answers,
which led us to a conclusion that both analytical and graphical method can give use the exact
sum of the vectors we are adding.
This experiment would have been better if the force tables were available for all the
groups so that we wouldn’t be sharing with the other groups because the answers of the groups
that we had shared the force table with might affect the results of our experiment. Other than
that, no problems and no recommendations anymore can be suggested.

References:
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