Yash Bhardwaj

PHYS 111A-012
Lab Partners: Deep Patel, Devon Zhen
2/16/16
Instructor: Yan Liu

Lab 103: Translational Static EquilibriumForce Table

Objective
The objective of this lab is to: (1) confirm that the condition for static translational equilibrium is
that the vector sum of forces is zero, (2) to experimentally test the vector nature of force, (3) to
practice manipulating the vectors and attain better understanding of vectors, and (4) to find
unknown tensions and directions in a system of strings connected to a central ring.

Introduction
As stated by Newtons Laws of Motion, a particle that experiences zero net force will either
remain at rest or move at a constant speed in a straight line depending on its initial condition.
Physical quantities are generally classified as being either scalar or vector quantities. Force is a
vector quantity, and it has both magnitude and direction. So when handling the force and trying
to get the net force, the manipulation rules of vectors have to be followed.
There are two methods for the addition of force vectors.
1) Graphical MethodTriangle Method
Vectors are represented graphically by arrows. The length of the vector arrow (drawn to
scale on graph paper) is proportional to the magnitude of the vector, and the arrow points
in the direction of the vector.
2) Analytical MethodComponent Method
Any vector could be decomposed into x and y components. The vector sum of any
number of vectors can be obtained by adding the x and y component vectors. Based on
Newtons Laws of motion. If a body is acted upon only by concurrent forces, the
condition for static equilibrium is that the vector sum of the concurrent forces must be
equal to zero. Using this principle, we used the following equations in this lab:
F x =T a cos ( a ) T b cos ( b )T c sin ( c )=0
(1)

(2)
(3)

F x =T a sin ( a ) + T b sin ( b )T c cos ( c )=0

sin2 ( ) +cos2 ( )=1

Results (Data and Calculation)

Case

Quantity
Given

Quantity
to be
Determined

Theoretical
Answer

Measured
Value

% diff

Tb

0.98N

1.029N

4.76

Tc

0.98N

0.98N

Tc

0.98N

0.931N

45

45

Ta = 0.98N
a = 30
b = 30
c = 30
Ta = 0.98N
a = 30
Tb = 0.98N
b = 30
Ta = 0.98N
a = 45
Tb = 0.98N
Tc = 1.41N

Discussion and Questions

1) Are your theoretical results consistent with the experimental data?
Our theoretical results are almost consistent with our experimental data. In Case 1 we had
a 4.76% error in determining Tension B, and in Case 2 we had a 5% error in determining
Tension C. Apart from that, the rest of the measured values are consistent with the
theoretical results.
2) Does your data confirm the static equilibrium condition?
Yes, in Case 3 our measured values perfectly matched the theoretical values. This proves
that or data confirms the static equilibrium condition.

Conclusions
We experienced very minimal error in this experiment, with the highest amount of error being
5%. With this experiment we were able to confirm that the condition for static translational
equilibrium is that the vector sum of forces is zero. We also understood how to manipulate
vectors correctly and we were able to prove that the static equilibrium condition is true.