Activity 3.

Addition of Vectors and The Force Table Method

July 14, 2010

Physics deals mostly on vector quantities that employ mathematical methods apart from simple
mathematical operations on whole numbers. Since vector quantities are described by both magnitude
and direction, they can be resolved from different methods in finding their sum and/or resultant value.
One method used is graphically present vectors quantities in Cartesian plane (or in three – dimension).
Here, vectors must be drawn to scale (e.g. 1000N = 10 mm), then known vectors are connected head –
to – tail. The resultant of these vectors is found by connecting the tail of the first vector to the head of
the last vector and measure its magnitude. The direction of this resultant vector, on the other hand, is
measured from the +x – axis to the resultant (See Figure 3.1) vector. Alternatively, the parallelogram
method (graphical) can also be done by drawing parallel lines to the given vectors (See Figure 3.2). The
resultant vector is measured from the main diagonal of the parallelogram.

y y
B

R θB B R

A A
θR θA
θR θA θB x
x

A
Figure 3.1 Graphical method with given vectors⃗ Figure 3.2 Parallelogram method to find the
B. The resultant vector ⃗
and ⃗ R with its direction θR. R and its direction θR.
resultant vector ⃗

Mathematical analysis can be employed from the graphical method and make use of the
relations such as the Pythagorean Theorem to determine the magnitude of the resultant vector and the
trigonometric functions to determine its direction. However, this works well with only two given
vectors. For more than two vectors, an intermediate method can be done by summing up the
components of each vector. We call this method a component method.

R , Rx and Ry. These components can be

vector ⃗
y Bx determined by

By R x =A x + B x and R y = A y +B y.
Ax
The magnitude then can be determined using
Ay the Pythagorean relation
A
θB θA
x
R =√ R 2x +R2y
⃗
Figure 3.3 Vectors A and B are broken into their
respective x – and y – components. The direction of this resultant vector is
determined using the tangent function
A∧⃗
Given the components of ⃗ B , one can obtain
the corresponding components of the resultant Ry
tanθ R =
Rx
Activity 3. Addition of Vectors and The Force Table Method
July 14, 2010

In this experiment, you are going to determine the resultant vector using three different
methods and compare your results. The first two methods are described above. The third method uses
the Force Table. In this method, you are going to determine the equilibrant vector from the given
vector. This vector is of the same magnitude as the resultant but directed 180⁰ opposite.

Materials:

Force Table with accessories, weights (slotted or hooked) and hangers, ruler and protractor

Procedure:

A. Graphical Method
1. Ask from your instructor the set of vectors for your group.
2. Using the graphical method (either parallelogram or polygon), determine the resultant
R of the given combinations in the table.
vector ⃗
3. Record your data in the table below.

B. Mathematical method (Component method)

1. Of your given values of vectors, determine the resultant vector ⃗ R using the component
method for the given combinations in the table.
2. Record your data in the table below.
C. Force Table method
1. Set up the force table with its round table parallel with table top. Adjust if necessary.
2. The center of the round table is the indicator when the equilibrant vector balances the given
combinations in the data table below.
3. For the given combination of vector ⃗ A and ⃗B, set the two vectors on the force table
corresponding to their given amount and direction.
4. Now, determine the equilibrant vector by making the center of the round table centered on
the washer (circular ring).
5. Record the amount and the opposite direction of this equilibrant vector.
6. Repeat the procedure for the other combinations of the given vectors.
7. Record your data in the table below.
Activity 3. Addition of Vectors and The Force Table Method
July 14, 2010

Table 3. Addition of vectors

A=¿ ¿; ⃗
⃗ B =¿ ¿ ; ⃗
C =¿ ¿;

Vector Combinations Resultant Vector

Graphical Component Equilibrant
A+ ⃗
⃗ B
A−⃗
⃗ B
A+ B + C
⃗ ⃗ ⃗

Questions:

1. What is the equivalent resultant vector of the equilibrant vector obtained using the force table?

2. Compare this resultant vector obtained from the other two methods by taking their %difference
between them.

A,⃗
3. a) If in the above given vectors ⃗ B ,∧⃗C are added to another vector ⃗
D , what would be its
magnitude and direction such that the resultant vector R =0. b) How does this combination
⃗
look in the force table? (You can illustrate this as your answer.)

Conclusion: