Finding for the Resultant Vector

Experiment No. 1
Physics 101.1
J. Agbanloga, P.J. Bolivara, E. Lazoa and R. Medinab
a
College of Science, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of
the Philippines Baguio
b
College of Science, Department of Physical Science, University of the Philippines
Baguio
Abstract
The resultant vector of the three vectors was found using two methods.
First was by plotting it on the same force table, where the other three were
plotted, and the other was by computing it theoretically. The details from the
experiment and the values calculated from a theoretical process were
compared. It turned out that there is a 1.2% and 0.76% errors in magnitude
and angle, respectively, which maybe caused by the inaccuracy in the
measurement of angles of the string and of the mass of the cans used in the
experiment. Through this experiment, it is shown that the resultant vector
gotten from the experiment using the force table is almost equal to the
resultant vector computed using certain equations.
Introduction
Vectors are quantities that have magnitude and direction. In 1846, it is
defined as line joining a fixed point and a variable point. A variety of
mathematical operations can be performed with and upon vectors such as
the addition of vectors. Two vectors can be added together to determine the
result. The resultant is the vector sum of two or more vectors.
The Force Table is used to physically demonstrate the addition of vectors
using the concept of equilibrium or Newton's first law of motion that is often
stated as an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in
motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by
an unbalanced force. The vectors are forces supplied by the weights that
hang over the pulleys. Using simple weights, pulleys and strings placed
around a circular table at certain angles, then several forces are be applied to
an object located in the center of the table in such a way that the forces
exactly cancel each other, leaving the object in equilibrium or as the object
appears to be at rest.

Methodology
Given three or more vectors with their directions that are represented by angles in a
two-dimensional space, there exist a resultant vector equivalent to the given vectors.

If the given vectors are in Cartesian equation (R = x + y ) , addition of same

components is immediately done to get the theoretical Cartesian equation of the resultant
vector.
In cases where the given are the magnitudes and their angles, formulas
x = vo cos

(Eq.1)

y = vo sin

(Eq.2),

and

where vo is the magnitude and is the direction (in angle) of the magnitude, are used
before adding the components.
Once the Cartesian equation of the resultant vector is already found, its magnitude of
can then be computed using the formula
|R|= [(x) + (y)]

(Eq.3)

And in order to identify the direction( ) of the resultant vector, we will use
= tan (y/x)

(Eq.4)

On the other hand, in getting the resultant of two or more plotted vectors by using a
force table, another string is to be placed on the table to balance the direction of force
pulling the ring. This will position the ring at the center of the table. The
magnitude(weight) and the angle of the resultant vector are easily determined.
The the percent error of the magnitudes of the theoretically and experimental
resultant vectors are then compared using the equation
% error = (magnitude(experimental) magnitude(theoretical))/ magnitude(theoretical)
x100% (Eq. 5)

Results and Discussion

In the experiment, three cans and a hook with bronze-colored cylindrical weights
were hung at the end of four strings. These strings were plotted on the force table until
the ring had its position at the center of the (force) table.

With the following data (indicated at the table below), the ring had been placed at the
center of the force table.

String number

Mass of
weights (g)

Mass of
cans/hook (g)

Total Mass

Angle ()

(g)

0.2

0.05 g
S1

120

24.51

144.51

108

S2

200

22.77

222.77

290

S3

200

26.17

226.17

200

S4 (string with
a hook at its
end)

200

39.44

239.44

39.8

Using Eq. 1 and Eq.2, x- and y-components of the strings were computed.

String number

S1

x-component

y-component

(mass x cos)

(mass x sin)

(g)

(g)

-44.66

137.44

S2

76.19

-209.34

S3

-212.53

-77.35

S4

183.96

153.27

Since the objective was to show that one of the strings is the resultant
magnitude of the remaining three strings, only the x- and y-components of
S1, S2 and S3 are to be added. Meanwhile, components of S4 were what to
be shown as the components of the resultant vector of the other three
vectors(strings).
Therefore, we have -181 as the sum of x-components and -149.25 as of
the y-components.
Let a be the theoretical resultant vector. We have a= -181 +(-149.25) and,
by Eq. 3, |a|=236.6. We then computed for the angle of the magnitude by
using Eq. 4, which is 39.5.

Comparing the theoretical value of the magnitude of the resultant vectors (236.6 at
39.5) from the experimental value one (239.44 at 39.8) written at the second
table which we assumed is the magnitude of the resultant vectors of the other three
plotted strings, we got a percent error of 1.2% in magnitude and 0.76% in angle by using
Eq.5. This error maybe occurred because of the inaccuracy in the measurements of angles
and because of the friction present in the pulleys which affected the weight carried by the
strings.
Conclusion
The experiment shows that the resultant vector can be obtained with a very good
accuracy using a simple experimental set up. The error can be further minimized if the
friction caused by the pulley is minimized.
References
1. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=vector
2. http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/vectors
3. http://facstaff.gpc.edu//Physic/Lab_02_Force_Table_004.pdf