Ciara Stynes A00261787 B.Eng. Mech. & Polymer Year 1 Grp.

2
Force Board (2)

Athlone Institute of Technology

Inustitiúid Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Luain

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor of Engineering in Polymer & Mechanical Engineering

Year 1 Group 2 2018/2019
Mechanics
Continuous Assessment

Student Name Ciara Stynes

Student Number A00261787

Date Title
12/11/18 Force Board (2)
Ciara Stynes A00261787 B.Eng. Mech. & Polymer Year 1 Grp.2
Force Board (2)

Contents
Title........................................................................................................................................................1
Objectives..............................................................................................................................................1
Apparatus..............................................................................................................................................1
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................1
Experimental Procedure........................................................................................................................1
Results...................................................................................................................................................1
Conclusions............................................................................................................................................1
Ciara Stynes A00261787 B.Eng. Mech. & Polymer Year 1 Grp.2
Force Board (2)

Force Board (2)

Objectives
To prove the parallelogram of forces

Apparatus
 Force Board
 Pulleys
 Various slotted masses (20g,30g,etc.)
 Twine
 A3 Paper
 Pencil
 Protractor
 Sticky Tape
 Meter stick
 Hanger for slotted masses

Introduction
The parallelogram of forces is method in which you find the resulting vector of two vector forces.
The vector which has an opposite sense of direction along the same line of action is called the
equilibrant force. “If a number of forces act upon a body then the equilibrant is the single force that
produces equilibrium” (O’Callaghan, 2017).
Force(N) = Mass(g) X Acceleration(m/s^2)

Experimental Procedure
 A force board was set up with two pulleys.
 The twine was arranged as in fig 1.
 The hangers for the slotted masses were suspended from the ends of the twine.
 Various masses were placed onto each of the hangers (as in results).
 Once the knot in the twine found equilibrium a blank piece of paper was place oto the force
board.
 The positions of the centre point and the arms of the angles were noted on the paper.
 Using a protractor, the angles were measured
 A vector diagram was draw using the parallelogram of forces method.

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Ciara Stynes A00261787 B.Eng. Mech. & Polymer Year 1 Grp.2
Force Board (2)

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Ciara Stynes A00261787 B.Eng. Mech. & Polymer Year 1 Grp.2
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Results

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Ciara Stynes A00261787 B.Eng. Mech. & Polymer Year 1 Grp.2
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Procedure 1 Procedure 2 Procedure3

Mass 1 70 g 90g 70g
Mass 2 70g 85g 100g
Mass 3 50g 150g 90g

Conclusions
The equilibrant force of two of the forces equalled the third force, this means the body was at
equilibrium. As the body was in equilibrium as a result of the three forces this experiment proves the
law of parallelogram of force.

The law of parallelogram of forces has many practical applications as it finds the overall result force
on a body when two forces as on it.

Errors in the results may be due to:

 A Parallax when reading measurements. (eg. Angle of the protractor)

 Inaccuracy’s when drawing the vector diagrams.
 Inaccuracy’s when transferring the force directions onto the sheet of paper.

References
Farrell, J (2018). Mechanical Practical’s
O’Callaghan, J. (2017). Forces acting at a point.

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