PHYS 71.

1 - Laboratory Manual

NAME: Bridgett Elline J. Trases SECTION: JK1L COURSE & YEAR: BS Architecture, 2nd Year

DATE: September 21, 2022

Experiment 2:

Addition of Vectors

Objectives

To calculate the resultant vector.

To illustrate and practice graphical and analytical solutions for the addition of vectors.
Materials and Equipment

 Pencil / pen  graphing paper  ruler

 protractor  calculator

Experimental Procedure

Suppose there are four vectors A = 8.00 cm, South; B = 15.0 cm, 30.0° E◦N; C = 12.0 cm, 25° S◦W; and D = 10.0 cm,
53° W◦N. Using the materials, employ the graphical method (tail-to-tip) to determine the resultant vector A+B+C+D.
Compare your results when using component method. Lastly, calculate for the percent error. Don’t forget to submit
your diagram on a graphing paper together with this laboratory report.

Calculations: (Show your calculations on the space provided. Use extra sheet if necessary)
Method
Vector x-component y-component x-component y-component

A
0 cm - 8.0 cm 0 cm - 8.0 cm

B
7.5 cm 12.9 cm 7.5 cm 13.0 cm

C
- 10.8 cm - 4.9 cm - 10.9 cm - 5.1 cm

D
- 7.9 cm 6.0 cm - 8.0 cm 6.0 cm

A+B+C+D
- 11.2 cm 6.0 cm - 11.4 cm 5.9 cm

Resultant Vector using Graphical Resultant Vector using % Error|GM-CM|CM×100

Method (GM) Component Method (CM) Note: %Error must be less than 10%

12.8 cm 12.8 cm % Error = |12.8cm-12.8cm|

12.8cm × 100 => 0%

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Calculations:

COMPONENT METHOD
Let ∅ be the theta. |Bx|= sin 30° (15cm) = 7.5cm
Tangent ∅ = (Opposite side/ Adjacent side) = (y/x) |By|= cos 30° (15cm) = 13.0cm
Sine ∅ = (Opposite side / Hypotenuse) |Cx|= cos 25° (12cm) = 10.9cm
Cosine ∅ = (Adjacent side / Hypotenuse) |Cy|= sin 25° (12cm) = 5.1cm
Pythagorean Theorem: c²=a²+b² => ||v||=√(x²+y²) |Dx|= sin 53° (10cm) = 8.0cm
Let E our resultant vector which also the fifth vector. |Dy|= cos 53° (10cm) = 6.0cm
|Ax|= 0 |Ex|= cos ∅ |E|
|Ay|= 8cm |Ey|= sin ∅ |E|
(0,0) = (vector sum of x components, vector sum of y components) = (x, y) = {(Ax+Bx+Cx+Dx+Ex),(Ay+By+Cy+Dy+Ey)}
x = 0 = 0 cm + 7.5 cm + (-10.9 cm) + (-8.0 cm) + (- cos ∅ |E|); (- cos ∅ |E|) - 11.4 cm
y = 0 = (-8.0 cm) + 13.0 cm + (-5.1 cm) + 6.0 cm + sin ∅ |E|; sin ∅ |E| - 5.9 cm
magnitude))))> |E| = √(Ex²+Ey²) = √[(-11.4cm)²+(5.9cm)²] = 12.8 cm
direction ))))> Tan ∅ =Ey/Ex, Tan ∅= 5.9cm/-11.4cm, ∅= Cot (5.9cm/-11.4cm), ∅=-27.4°

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Questions:

1) Which method will give a more accurate answer? Why?

Analytical method or the component method gives a more accurate method, although after the investigation 0% is the percent
of error of two methods which yields to a 0 disparity value in terms of its magnitude. Because of the uncertainties in terms of
the measuring tools being used in graphing - that there is still a question of the measuring tools precision.

2) What are the advantages and disadvantages of using graphical method and component method?

Graphical method gives a visualization for the problem and solution, it is not strict in requiring a student to master
trigonometric ratios and algebraic expressions, yet the result is not accurate enough as it is still based from the measuring tools
that has a few errors on it's accuracy.

Component Method as the analytical method has the advantages in terms of its precision and accuracy with the use of formula
and numbers as representation of the problem and solution.. It's disadvantages is for having no obscure visualization, rounding
off the decimals propagate degrees of error, and requires mastering the being patient and having skills in solving algebraic and
trigonometric problems

Conclusion.
In finding the resultant vector there are two ways that was directed in this activity, the graphical method (tail to tip) and
analytical method (composite method). Both method has degree of advantages and disadvantages yet the more accurate is the
analytical method for which calculation dominates, rather than visualization of the graph that needs scaling in terms of higher
magnitude and propagation of uncertainties such on the measuring tools precision. However, graphical method is way
convenient as it does not strictly require the skills in algebraic problems and trigonometric ratios. Furthermore, in real life
application, it is important to study the physics of resultant vector for which it is helpful in problem solving, navigation,
directions and a lot of applications that challenge our analytical and creative thinking.

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