Experiment 1

Vector Addition: Force Table

 Objective:

The objective is to experimentally verify the parallelogram law of vector

addition by using a force table.

Equipment:

A computer with Internet connection, a calculator (The built-in calculator of the

computer may be used.), paper, and pencil

Theory:

Concurrent forces are forces that pass through the same point.  Resultant is

a single force that can replace the effect of a number of 
forces.  "Equilibrant" is a force that is exactly opposite to a
resultant.  Equilibrant and resultant have equal magnitudes but opposite
directions.  Review the introduction section of Experiment 2 for additional
information on the graphical method as well as the analytical method of
finding a resultant, if necessary.

Procedure:

You may need to add the following Website to your Java exception
list: http://lectureonline.cl.msu.edu/

 To do this, follow the path (Windows operating system),

 Start → All Programs → Java → Configure Java → Security (use High) →

Edit Site List … → Add → Type in the site URL
(http://lectureonline.cl.msu.edu/).

The force table in a regular lab setting has a schematic diagram as shown

below.  It has 3 or 4 double pulley systems that allow 3 or 4 forces to be
applied onto a central tiny ring.   The forces are shown as F1, F2, and F3  . 
  Figure 1: The schematic diagram of a force table

Here for this online experiment, you will use a suitable physics applet. 

Click on the following

link:    http://lectureonline.cl.msu.edu/~mmp/kap4/cd082.htm

You will see F1 in red, F2 in green, and F3 in blue.  With the mouse you can
move any of these three vectors by holding their tips.   For just practice and
getting good at it, try to set each vector at certain x and y components.  As
you move any of the vectors around you will see that the values
corresponding to its components change on the applet.  The black vector
shows the resultant of the three vectors F1, F2, and F3.  If you make the black
vector to have a zero magnitude, then the three red, green, and blue
vectors are in equilibrium and their sum is equal to zero as shown:

F1 + F2 + F3 = 0    or,    F1 + F2 =  - F3       or,    R = - F3  .

This means that when the sum of the 3 vectors is zero,  "the resultant of

any two has a magnitude equal to the magnitude of the third one, and a
direction opposite to direction of that third one."

Refer to Table 1 under the Data Section.  There are four cases
(experiments) to be done.

1) In Line 1 of Table 1, first calculate the x- and y-components of F1 and F2. 

Round the numbers to the nearest integer.  Make sure your calculator is in
"Degrees" mode.
2) Place the mouse on the tip of F1 and move it around until its x- and y-
components match your calculated values for F1.    Repeat this procedure
for F2.

3) Move the tip of F3 around until the black vector shrinks to zero.  Record
the x- and y-component of F3.   F3 is the equilibrant.   It is the opposite of the
resultant R of F1 and F2.  The goal is to find the resultant R of F1 and
F2 .  You have found F3, the opposite of R.

4) Use the x- and y-components of F3 that you read from the applet to

calculate the magnitude and direction (angle) of F3  using the following
formulas:

F3 = [(F3x)2 + (F3y)2 ]1/2     and     θ3 = tan-1( /F3x)

The F3 magnitude that you calculate is to be used as the measured value

of F3 or the measured magnitude of R.   Adding 180.o to or subtracting
180.o from the angle of F3  gives you the measured direction of R.   

Record the magnitude and direction (so found) for R as the measured

values for R in Table 1.

5) Also, completely aside from this applet, find the

resultant R of F1 and F2 by performing calculations on paper.   The magnitude
and direction of R that you calculate using the following formulas, give you the
accepted values for the magnitude and direction of R.

Rx = F1x + F2x = 50.0Ncos(35.0o) + 75.0Ncos(115.0o) = ...... N.

Ry = F1y + F2y = 50.0Nsin(35.0o) + 75.0Nsin(115.0o) = ...... N.

R = (Rx2 + Ry2)1/2  =  .......N    and    tan-1 (Ry / Rx) = .......o. 

Record the above R and θ under the accepted values in Table 1.  

6) Use the % error formula to calculate a % error on R and a %error on θ.  At

this point Line 1 of the Table is finished.

7) Apply the above method to Lines 2, 3, and 4 of the Table to complete the
experiment.

 Data:  
Given:  The magnitude and direction of each set of vectors to be added are
given in Table 1.  

Measured:   Record your measured values in Table 1 in the space provided.

 Table 1

Case Given Measured Measured Calculated

%error
  F1 F2
F3 R      R
Magn. Angl Magn. Angl Magn. Angl Magn. Angl Magn. Angl on on 
 
(N) e (N) e (N) e (N) e (N) e R θ
1 50.0 35.0 75.0 115                
2 38.0 130.0 80.0 210                
3 50.0 0.0 50.0 120                
4 75.0 40.0 75.0 -40.0                
 

Calculations:

Provide a full calculation for one case here, but only show the results for other
cases in Table 1.

Comparison of the results: 

         Provide the percent error formula used as well as the calculated values
of percent errors in this section as well as Table 1.

Conclusion: 

         State your conclusions of the experiment.

Discussion: 

         Provide a discussion if necessary.

 Questions:

Include the following questions and their answers in your report:

1) Two forces, one 500gf and the other 800gf, act on a body.  What are the
maximum and minimum possible magnitudes of the resultant force? 

2) Could four forces be placed in the same quadrant or in two adjacent

quadrants and still be in equilibrium?  Draw a sketch and explain your answer.

3) What is the relationship between the equilibrant vector and the resultant?