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ACTIVITY 1: RESULTANT OF VECTORS

I. OBJECTIVE/S
To determine the resultant of concurrent vectors by different methods

II. MATERIALS NEEDED

Ruler
Protractor

III. SIMULATION LINK

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/vector-addition/latest/vector-addition_en.html

IV. PROCEDURE

A. Method 1: GRAPHICAL METHOD

Given three concurrent forces, determine the resultant by polygon method. This is done by
deciding on a convenient proportion scale, say 2 N : 1 cm. After scaling the
measurements, follow the steps below:
1. Draw the first vector with its end as the head (arrowhead). Start the drawing at the
origin.
2. Start the second vector from the head of the first vector. (Note: If there were other
vectors, start from the arrowhead of the vector preceding it.)
3. Close the polygon by connecting the origin (tail) of the first vector to the end
(arrowhead) of the last vector drawn; this is the resultant. (Note: When the line is
towards the origin, this is the equilibrant.)
4. Measure the line and convert it to its true value with the scale used. Measure the
angle with respect to N, E, W, or S.

Scale or proportion used: 1 cm : 2 N

F1 = 19 N Direction: 18.4° N of E
F2 = 15 N Direction: 36.9° N of W
F3 = 14.6 N Direction: 15.9° S of W

RESULTANT, 𝑅⃗ = _____________ N Direction: __________________

INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. RIZA CARMELA M. PINEDA 1

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B. Method 2: COMPONENT METHOD

Using the same concurrent forces, compute the resultant using the component method.
Compute also for its equilibrant and record as follows:

FORCE MAGNITUDE ANGLE X-COMPONENT Y-COMPONENT

F1
F2
F3

Sum of the horizontal components, Fx = ________________ N

Sum of the vertical components, Fy = ________________ N
RESULTANT, 𝑅 = ______________ N Direction: ___________________
⃗
EQUILIBRANT, 𝐸⃗ = _____________ N Direction: ___________________

C. Method 3: by SIMULATION SOFTWARE

Using the same concurrent forces, compute the resultant using a simulation software. Click
the link: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/vector-addition/latest/vector-
addition_en.html

Take a print screen of the entire web page showing your answer. Also, record the
resultant as follows:

RESULTANT, 𝑅⃗ = ______________ N Direction: ___________________

V. QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS:

1. State the conditions of equilibrium for concurrent, co-planar forces and vectors.
2. Using the component method, determine the resultant of the following vectors:
A = 250N 37o S of W
B = 150N due N
C = 300N 60o N of E
D = 200N 53o N of W
E = 100N 30o S of E

3. Using the simulation software, determine resultant of the given concurrent forces:
F1 = 12.2 N Direction: 35° S of E
F2 = 18.2 N Direction: 80.5° W of N
F3 = 11.2 N Direction: 79.7° N of E

INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. RIZA CARMELA M. PINEDA 2

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VI. DATA AND RESULTS

Note: Show complete solution.

Procedure A:

Conversion

1 𝑐𝑚 2𝑁
F1 = 19 N x = 9.5 cm Resultant, 𝑅⃗ = 11.3 cm x = 22.6 N
2𝑁 1 𝑐𝑚

1 𝑐𝑚
F2 = 15 N x 2𝑁
= 7.5 cm

1 𝑐𝑚
F3 = 14.6 N x 2𝑁
= 7.3 cm

INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. RIZA CARMELA M. PINEDA 3

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Procedure B:

FORCE MAGNITUDE ANGLE x-component y-component

F1 19 N 18.4° 19cos18.4° 19sin18.4°
F2 15 N 36.9° -15cos36.9° 15sin36.9
F3 14.6 N 15.9° -14.6cos15.9° -14.6sin15.9°

Sum of the Horizontal Component, Fx = (19cos18.4°) + (-15cos36.9°) + (-14.6cos15.9°)

= (18.03) + (11.995) + (-13.46)

= -7.425 N

Sum of the Vertical Component, Fy = (19sin18.4°) + (15sin36.9) + (-14.6sin15.9°)

= (5.997) + (9.006) + (-3.835)

= 11.68 N

Resultant, 𝑅⃗ = 48.6 N Direction: 56.382 N of W

Equilibrant, 𝐸⃗ = -48.6 N Direction: -56.382 S of E

INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. RIZA CARMELA M. PINEDA 4

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Procedure C:

Resultant, 𝑅⃗ = 7.2 N

Direction: 56.3° N of W

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VII. Answers to Questions and Problems

1. State the conditions of equilibrium for concurrent, co-planar forces and vectors.

Equilibrium of Concurrent Forces

In static, a body is said to be in equilibrium when the force system acting upon has a zero

resultant.

The sum of all forces in the x-direction or horizontal is zero

ΣFx = 0 or ΣFH = 0

The sum of all forces in the y-directions or vertical is zero.

ΣFy=0 or ΣFV=0

Co-planar and vectors

A soild body is submitted to three forces whose lines of action are not parallel is in equilibrium if

the three following conditions apply:

1. The lines of action are coplanar (in the same plane)

2. The lines of action are convergent (they cross at the same point)

3. The vector of these forces equal to zero vector.

INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. RIZA CARMELA M. PINEDA 6

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2.

FORCE MAGNITUDE ANGLE x-component y-component

A 250 N 37° S of W -199.659 N -150.454 N
B 150 N due N 0N 150N
C 300 N 60° N of E 150N 259.808N
D 200 N 53° N of W -128.558N 159.727N
E 100 N 30° S of E -86.603N -50N

A = 250N 37° S of W Sum of the Horizontal Component, Fx

Ax = 250Ncos(180°+37°) = -199.659 N = (250Ncos180°+37°) + (150Ncos90°) +

Ay = 250Nsin(180°+37°) = -150.454 N (300Ncos60°) + (200Ncos180°-53°) +

B = 150N due N (100Ncos180°+30°) = -178.682N

Ax = 150Ncos(90°) = 0N

Ay = 150Nsin(90°) = 150N Sum of the Vertical Component, Fy

C = 300N 60° N of E = (250Nsin180°+37°) + (150Nsin90°) +

Ax = 300Ncos(60°) = 150N (300Nsin60°) + (200Nsin180°-53°) +

Ay = 300Nsin(60°) = 259.808N (100Nsin180+30°) = 369.081N

D = 200N 53° N of W

Ax = 200Ncos(180°-53°) = -128.558N Resultant, 𝑹

⃗⃗ = √𝐹𝑥 2 + 𝐹𝑦 2

Ay = 200Nsin(180°-53°) = 159.727N = √(−178.682)2 + (369.081)2

E = 100N 30° S of E = 410.059N

369.081
Ax = 100Ncos(180°+30°) = -86.603N Direction = −178.682 = -2.066°

Ay = 100Nsin(180+30°) = -50N

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3.

Resultant = 23.8N

Direction = 67.8° N of E

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VIII. Conclusion

The objective of this activity is to determine the resultant of concurrent vectors by

different methods. There are three methods that are performed in this activity which are

the Graphical Method, Component Method, and Simulation Software. What I have learn

in this activity is that a system of forces’ resultant is the vector sum of the individual forces

that make up the system. This is the single force that has the same impact as the given

force system. It has the same magnitude as the equilibrant of that system of forces but

the opposite direction. The preferrable method for me is the Component Method.

Component Method is much easier than the Graphical Method because it only requires

simple sketching without using ruler and protractor. Also, the Component Method is more

precise than the graphical method. When more accurate results are required, the

component method is the more preferrable.

INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. RIZA CARMELA M. PINEDA 9