Michael Musillo

Addition of Vectors Lab

Objective: The purpose of this lab was to show the concepts of a resultant of multiple
vectors by graphical means.

Theory: To find the resultant of multiple vectors, you can find it by graphically or
analytically. To do it graphically (on the sheets of paper), take the vectors and angles and
draw them, then find the diagonal, which is the resultant. It will look like a parallelogram.
Analytically is found by using formulas, which is favored because it doesn’t include
making precise drawings.

Procedure: - Set up equipment.

- Conduct 4 trials using masses listed in the table below.
- Use a protractor to measure the angle and record data.
- Construct vector diagram for each trial and graphically determine the
resultant vector.

Equipment: Protractor
Pulleys
Weights

Data: See Lab

Analysis: See Lab
Questions: See Lab

Conclusion: This lab was effective in showing how to find resultants through graphical
means. I got the correct answers using the graphical approach. Sources of error could be
slight measurement error. This lab was all about how the theory is used, so it
demonstrated it well. This lab was odd how there were four separate trials, but it was easy
to do. The hardest part was trying to get all the measurements perfect so it would give an
accurate answer.