Vectors are used in science to describe anything that has both a direction and a magnitude.

They
are usually drawn as pointed arrows, the length of which represents the vector's magnitude. Off the
field, vectors can be used to represent any number of physical objects or phenomena. Physical
quantities that require both a magnitude and direction for their description are vector quantities. A
great example of a vector quantity is wind velocity. Since the wind can blow in a direction, and with a
certain speed, we will need to use both a magnitude and a direction to describe this physical quantity.

The Force Table is a simple tool for demonstrating Newton's First Law and the vector nature of
forces. This tool is based on the principle of "equilibrium". An object is said to be in equilibrium when
there is no net force acting on it. An object with no net force acting on it has no acceleration. The force
table is composed of a circular ring attached to chains or strings from which weights may be dangled.
The ring and attached strings are suspended over a protractor disk that measures the angle of the
strings. In a physics experiment, weights are attached to three or more strings connected to the ring to
use the force table. As each weight is applied, the string pulls the ring towards its side. When another
weight is placed on a separate string on the opposite side, it will also pull the central ring towards its
direction. This creates a state of a tug-of-war between the weights as the ring tries to balance the
opposing forces. This experiment's objective is to align the ring at the exact center of the force table
because it is only at this orientation that the forces are in equilibrium. Using the force table enables the
user to understand the concept of vector summation of forces, with consideration of the force's
magnitude and direction.