REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

EASTERN VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE

LABORATORY
IN
PHYSICS 125

YANGAO, NICOMAR O.
2018-02153

ENGR. DOUGLAS A. ANIÑON

 ACTIVITY 2
An exercise to verify the graphical and analytical methods of determining resultant forces.

Introduction:
Vectors plays an important role in many aspects of our everyday lives or of one’s daily routine.
Some people think that vectors are just plain quantities used in physics class. In contrary with
their way of thinking, vectors are actually the foundation of many professions.
A vector is a mathematical quantity that that has both a magnitude and direction. A vector is
frequently represented by a line segment with a definite direction, or graphically as an arrow. A
vector is what is needed to carry the point A to point B; the Latin word of vector means carrier.
The study of vectors had gone through a lot of revisions, starting from the 19th century where
mathematicians used geometrical representations for complex numbers. Lots of changes and
multiple varieties of altering where conducted to this study, which led to the discovery of the
vectors that we all know today
Operations on vectors are also made possible through time. Additions of vectors was clarified
and can now be done in different ways. Vector addition in graphical way can use the polygon
method, the parallelogram method, or the triangle method. Analytical, a vector addition can be
done through law of sine, law of cosine, or the component method.
Today, vector are used to indicate the directions for many transportation vehicles. Whenever
direction are important in real life, then unit vectors are important. If everything was confined to
move along a straight line, then the unit vectors would not be important. Moving in space, unit of
vectors are more needed. Cars, ships and planes all move in space. Controlling and trading these
all involve unit vectors.

List of Materials/Equipment:
 Force table
 Weight holder
 Masses
 Ruler
 Strings
Procedure:
The laboratory instructor will assign a set of three vectors for each group.
A. Two forces considered
1. With the two vectors given, the first two will be used.
2. Compute the resultant vectors of these two vectors graphical and analytical methods.
These computed values will be classified as the true or accepted values of the resultant
force. With these values, the equilibrant is determined.
3. The experimental value of the magnitude of the resultant force is now analyzed using the
force table. Each of the given forces and equilibrant will be represented by using the
slotted masses place in the weight hanger/holder.
4. See the system in the equilibrium by considering the ring at the center of force table, this
is done by displacing the ring of force table. Tap the table. Once it returns to its central
position. The extended forces are balanced.
5. Compute the percentage error using the date gathered.
B. Three forces considered
1) Use the vectors given by the instructor.
2) Compute the resultant vector using graphical and analytical methods. These values will
be used as the true or accepted values.
3) Repeat step 3-5 of procedure A.
Data and Result:
Table. THREE FORCES GIVEN
A= 82N, 87° counterclockwise East of North
B= 24.5N, 5° counterclockwise South of East
C= 91N, 65° counterclockwise West of North

Graphical Method
True Value Experimental Value Percentage Error
Resultant Force
Equilibrant

Analytical Method
True Value Experimental Value Percentage Error
Resultant Force
Equilibrant