SIGMA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING

Civil Engineering Department

Mechanics Of Solids

LAW OF POLYGON OF FORCES

AIM: To verify the law of polygon of forces for a given coplanar concurrent system of
forces.
APPARATUS: Force table, Strings, Weights.

THEORY:
Law of polygon of forces is used to determine the resultant of coplanar concurrent force
system consisting of more than two forces.
The law states When more than two coplanar forces acting at a point are represented in
magnitude and direction by the sides of a polygon taken in order, the closing side from
the first to the last point of the polygon represents the resultant of the force system in
magnitude and direction.

Graphical Method
Let forces P1, P2, P3 and P4 acting at O are represented in magnitude and direction by the
sides AB, BC, CD and DE respectively of a polygon ABCDE taken in order. We are to
prove that the resultant of these forces is represented in magnitude and direction by the
side AE. According to the triangle law of forces, AC is the resultant of AB and BC, AD
represents the resultant of AC and CD, and AE represents the resultant of AD and DE,
that is, AE represents the resultant of P1, P2, P3 and P4.

SIGMA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING

Civil Engineering Department
Mechanics Of Solids

P2

P1

P1

B
C

O
P3

D
E

E
P1

P4
Space Diagram

Force Diagram
Scale: 1cm =_____ N

Graphical conditions for equilibrium

Since the forces are in equilibrium, their resultant is zero. This means that the closing line
of polygon (i.e. force diagram) drawn to represent the given forces will have zero length.
In other words, the polygon drawn with the given forces will be closed figure. Hence, we
can state: If a system of coplanar concurrent forces be in equilibrium, their vector
diagram will be a closed figure.
Space diagram, Force diagram and Bows notation
Space diagram is that diagram which shows the lines of action of forces in space. In a
space diagram, the actual directions of forces are marked by straight lines with arrows to
indicate the sense in which the forces act. In the space diagram the space between any
two forces is designated by Bows notation.
Force diagram is a diagram that is drawn according to some suitable scale to represent a
given system of forces in magnitude, direction and sense. The closing line of the Force
diagram represents the resultant of the given system of forces and its direction is from
starting point towards the end point.
Bows notation is the method of designating forces in a space diagram. According to this
notation, each force in space diagram is denoted by two capital letters, each being placed
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SIGMA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING

Civil Engineering Department
Mechanics Of Solids
on two sides of the line of action of a force. Bows notation is particularly helpful in
graphical solutions.
Analytical Method
The P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 are the five non-concurrent forces acting on a plate in
equilibrium at an angle of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 with respect to positive X-axis measured in
anticlockwise direction then the magnitude of resultant is given by,

Where,
Fx = P1cos1 + P2cos2 + P3cos3 + P4cos4
= summation of all forces along positive X-axis
Fy = P1sin1 + P2sin2 + P3sin3 + P4sin4
=summation of all forces along positive Y-axis

The direction of Resultant force is given by

If the forces are in equilibrium the value of resultant (R) is zero. This method of finding
the resultant is called Resolution of forces.

PROCEDURE:

First adjust five strings to the desired angle. Four of them represent four forces of
which the resultant is desired and the fifth one is the equilibrant force.

In the experimental set-up the angle between any two strings can be read directly
from the circular graduated disc. Now suspend any arbitrary masses on four
strings and then try to adjust the fifth mass such that the inner ring appears
concentric with the graduated disc. In this state five forces are in equilibrium.

Note down the masses suspended on each string along with one representing an
equilibrant force.

All we need is to see that all the forces including equilibrium force are proper and
well balanced such that the central ring remains exactly in centre.
3

SIGMA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING

Civil Engineering Department
Mechanics Of Solids

Then mark the exact positions of the strings with the angle between them on a
plain paper and also note the masses suspended on them.

Further sketch the space and force diagrams and get the graphical solution. Do the
necessary calculations and get the analytical solution.

For getting variations, each time change the positions of the strings and the values
of the masses suspended on them. Repeat the procedure for getting 4 or 5
readings.

ASSUMPTIONS:
It is assumed that the pulleys are frictionless.

CALCULATIONS:

ANALYTICAL:
Fx =
Fy =

RA =

Experimental, RE =
Graphical, RG =
Graphical Error = (RG- RA)/ RA x100
Experimental Error = (RE- RA)/ RA x100

SIGMA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING

Civil Engineering Department
Mechanics Of Solids

RESULT:
Resultant Force:
RE =
RA =
RG =
Percentage Error:
Graphical Error =
Experimental Error =

CONCLUSION:

SIGMA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING

Civil Engineering Department
Mechanics Of Solids

OBSERVATION TABLE

Sr.

Masses suspended

Force exerted

No

(kg)

(N)

m1

m2

m3

m4

m5

P1

P2

P3

P4

Resultant force

Angle with x-axis

P5

(N)
5

Exp.

Anal.

Grap.

RE

RA

RG

Percentage error
Experimental

Graphical

(RE-RA/RA)

(RG-RA/RA)

x100

x100