Name: Dumaguing, Marianne M.

Score:
Fernando, Ace C.
Fontanilla, Diana May S.
Section and Lab Schedule: BSABE 1-2 T 1:00-4:00 Date Submitted: September 01, 2022

EXPERIMENT NO. 2
VECTOR ADDITION

Quantities in Physics can be classified as scalar quantities or vector quantities. Scalar quantities are
quantities whose measurements are specified by magnitude while vector quantities are those specified
by a magnitude and direction. A vector quantity may be represented graphically by a directed line
segment, called a vector. A vector is the line whose length indicates the magnitude of a vector quantity
and the arrow indicates the direction of the quantity.

Graphical procedures have an advantage over mathematical procedures. It may be used easily for multi–
vector problems and for cases in which two forces are not acting at right angles to each other. Both types
of problems require fairly lengthy mathematical procedures to solve analytically. However, the
disadvantage of using graphical procedures is that, the accuracy of the results depends on the care taken
in drawing the vector diagram. Carelessly drawn diagrams will lead to an acceptable error.

The two graphical methods that can be used to add vectors are the Parallelogram Method and the Polygon
Method. The Parallelogram method is used for two vectors while the Polygon Method is used for two or
more vectors and is also called the tip–to–tail method.

I. OBJECTIVES: At the end of the activity, the students should be able to:

(a) determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector using graphical method particularly,
parallelogram and polygon methods;
(b) compare the degree of accuracy between the parallelogram and polygon methods to analytical
method; and

II. MATERIALS/APPARATUS:

compass pencil protractor ruler

III. DRAWING OR FIGURE
Draw and label all the materials used.
IV. PROCEDURE: Find the resultant vector of two vectors using the Parallelogram Method and find the
resultant vector of more than vectors using the Polygon Method.
A. PARALLELOGRAM METHOD

1. Draw both the vectors from the origin.

2. Measure the magnitude of the second vector using a compass. Let this be the radius of the circle(C1) that
you will draw with the center (P1) at the first vector.

Figure 1: Left side: STEP 1, right side: STEP 2

3. Measure the magnitude of the first vector using a compass. Let this be the radius of the circle(C2) that you
will draw with the center at the second (P2) vector.
4. Connect both the vectors to the intersection (P3) of the two circles.

Figure 2: Left side: STEP 3, right side: STEP 4

5. The resultant vector would be from the origin to the intersection of the two circles.
6. Measure the magnitude of the resultant vector and get its direction. Record this as the graphical value of the
resultant vector for the Parallelogram Method.
 Figure 3: Left side: STEPS 5 and 6, right side: STEP 1 of Polygon Method

A. POLYGON METHOD
1. Draw the first vector from the origin.
2. The tip of the first vector will serve as the origin for the next vector. Draw the second vector with its
tail atthe tip of the first vector.
3. Do the same for all the next vectors. The tip of the previous vector will serve as the origin for the next
vector. The tip of the previous vector connects to tail of the next vector.
4. The resultant vector is from the tail of the first vector to the tip of the last vector.
5. Measure the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector. Record this.

Figure 4: Left side: STEP 2, right side: STEP 4

I. GRAPH, DATA, AND COMPUTATION:

A. GRAPH.
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3. Compute for the magnitude and direction of two forces, each 10 newtons, one acting vertically
downwards and the other 30◦ N of E. Use polygon and parallelogram methods and check your answer
using the analytical method. Answer with complete solution.

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