EXP 2: VERIFICATION OF LAW OF

POLYGON OF FORCES
Kartik mahala 2K20/CE/77

Objective: To verify the law of polygon of forces, by using force board

Apparatus: A wooden board with two wall brackets, four adjustable frictionless pulleys
and a set of weights

Theory:

Law of polygon of forces states that "If a number of forces, acting simultaneously on at particle, be
represented in magnitude and direction by the sides of a polygon taken in order, then the resultant
of all these forces may be represented in magnitude and direction, by the closing side of the
polygon, taken in opposite order".

If any number of coplanar forces acting on a particle be presented in magnitude and direction by the
sides of a closed polygon, taken in order, they shall be in equilibrium. Converse of polygon law of
forces states that if any number of forces acting on a particle are in equilibrium, a closed polygon can
be drawn whose sides represent these forces both in magnitude and direction. The converse of
polygon law of forces is true in the sense that if any number of co-planer forces acting at a point are
in equilibrium and if sides are drawn parallel and proportional to the forces then the sides will form
only one closed polygon. But if the sides are drawn only parallel and not proportional to the forces
then they cannot be represented by the sides of such a polygon as any number of such polygons can
be drawn. Therefore the converse of polygon law of forces is not true in the same way as the
converse of triangle law of forces.

Procedure:
Step1: Fix the white sheet of paper on the force board with the help of drawing pins.

Step2: Attach four strings passing through the four pulleys whose one end is attached to the
common node O and other end is connected to the known weight. Attach one more string with the
central node whose other end is connected with the pan.

Step3: Place weights in the pan so that the central node is in the central position of the board i.e.
these are in equilibrium.

Step4: After this, mark the points on the white sheet on the images of the strings in the same
direction.

Step5: Remove the white sheet and draw lines with the help of the points marked. These lines meet
at a point.

Step6: Draw lines selecting a suitable scale for loads on the sheet and complete a Polygon as shown
in fig.

Step7: Repeat the experiments by changing the weights.

Observation:
Calculation:

Result:
1. Measure the last line of the Polygon (Force ea closes the polygon). This will be equal to the
fifth force, for verification of the law.
2. Find out the percentage error.

Precautions:
1. There should not be any knot in the string.
2. Weights should be placed gently.
3. Pulleys should be frictionless.
4. While plotting the points on the sheets the thread should not be disturbed.
5. Threads and weights should not touch the board.
6. Board should be vertical.