Physics for Engineers Laboratory Activity 2

Name: Santos, Mark Jeremy D.C. Group No: 3

Section: DEET 2-3 Total Score:

Vector Addition and Equilibrium of Forces

I. Learning Outcomes
At the end of the activity, you should be able to:
A. Demonstrate vector addition using the interactive force table.
B. To compare the resultant obtained from force table to the resultant using graphical and
analytical methods.

II. Materials
• Interactive Force Table (https://www.geogebra.org/m/ygq9m5rd)
• Graphing paper
• Ruler and Protractor

III. Introduction

Forces are vector quantities acting on an object. They can be concurrent forces or parallel forces. Forces
that pass through the same point are called Concurrent forces. Concurrent forces can be demonstrated
using a force table. Also, force table is a device used to demonstrate the equilibrant force. Equilibrant
force is a single force that balances the sum of the forces acting on a body. The sum of all forces acting
on the body is called Resultant force 𝑹. And the force that balances the effect of all forces acting on the
body is the Equilibrant force 𝑬. Equilibrant force has the same magnitude as the resultant force but
directly opposite the direction of the resultant force

There are two ways to solve the resultant: Graphical Method and Analytical Method. For the graphical
method, one may choose the Parallelogram method or the Polygon (tip-tail) method. To solve by
graphical solution, vectors are scaled. In the parallelogram method, vectors are drawn from one original
point (origin of the axis). Then, draw vector lines parallel to them connected in their tip ends with their
tail-ends meet at one point. From the origin, draw a line towards the point where the two tail-ends
meet. This line represents the resultant of the two vectors. Alternatively, in the polygon method, the
tipend of one vector is connected to the tail-end of the second vector. The tip-end of the third vector is
then connected to the tip-end of the second vector. And so on, until the last vector is connected to the
others. From the tail-end of the first vector, draw a line towards the tip-end of the last vector added in
the system. This line represents the resultant of the vectors.

The other solution for adding vector is the Analytical Method. In solving the resultant force, we will use
the following equations:
 magnitude of the resultant:

𝑅
direction of the resultant:
𝑅𝑦
−1
𝜃𝑅 = tan ( )
𝑅𝑥
where 𝑅𝑥 and 𝑅𝑦 .
Since the resultant 𝑅 and the equilibrant 𝐸 have the same magnitude and is oppositely directed, their
sum is equal to zero. Hence, the forces are in equilibrium. That means, the magnitude and directions of
the forces acting on the object are balanced. This is the First Condition for Equilibrium.

IV. Procedure

Part I – Equilibrium of Two Concurrent Forces

1. Using the interactive force table - https://www.geogebra.org/m/ygq9m5rd , set 𝑚3, 𝑚4, 𝜃3, and
𝜃4 equal to zero.
2. Set the values for 𝑚1, 𝑚2, 𝜃1, and 𝜃2. (Refer to Table 1.1)
3. Record the values of 𝑅 and 𝜃𝑅.
4. Complete the Table 2.1 in the Group report, attach your complete solution.
5. Compare your answer with what you get using the Graphical Solution by solving their
percentage difference. Use the polygon method and specify the scale.
6. Use the grayed-out values of force and angle in the table for the graphical method.

Part II – Equilibrium of Three Concurrent Forces

1. Using the interactive force table - https://www.geogebra.org/m/ygq9m5rd , set 𝑚4, and 𝜃4

equal to zero.
2. Set the values for 𝑚1, 𝑚2, 𝑚3, 𝜃1, 𝜃2, and 𝜃3. (Refer to Table 1.1)
3. Record the values of 𝑅 and 𝜃𝑅.
4. Complete the Table 2.2 in the Group report, attach your complete solution.
5. Compare your answer with what you get using the Graphical Solution by solving their
percentage difference. Use the polygon method and specify the scale.
6. Use the grayed-out values of force and angle in the table for the graphical method.

Part III – Equilibrium of Four Concurrent Forces

1. Repeat the same procedures in I and II but this time all masses and angles have values.

Group Report Score:

V. Data and Results

Part I – Equilibrium of Two Concurrent Forces

Table 2.1

Force (N) x – component (N) y – component (N) Angle

𝒎𝟏 = 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝒈 2.45 N 2.12 N 1.23 N 30°
𝒎𝟐 = 𝟏𝟓𝟎 𝒈 1.47 N 0.26 N 1.45 N 80°
Resultant 𝑹 3.58 N Rx = 2.38 N Ry = 2.68 N
48.39° 131.61°
Equilibrant 𝑬 3.58 N Ex = -2.38 N Ey = -2.68 N
48.39° 311.61°
Graphical Method 𝑹𝒈 3.5 N
130° 50°
Percentage 2.26% Rgraphical Φgraphical 91.50%
Difference (𝑹, 𝑹𝒈)

Picture of the Interactive force table

 Graph

Sol’n

Part# 1

m1 = 250g * 10001 𝑘𝑔 𝑔 = 0.25 kg

F1 = 0.25 kg * 9.8 m/s2

F1 = 2.45 N

m2 = 150g * 10001 𝑘𝑔 𝑔 = 0.15 kg

F2 = 0.15 kg * 9.8 m/s2

F2 = 1.47 N
x - Component:

m1 = F1 = 2.45 N cos (30°) = 2.12 N m2 =

F2 = 1.47 N cos (95°) = 0.26 N y -
Component:

m1 = F1 = 2.45 N sin(30°) = 1.23 N

m2 = F2 = 1.47 N sin (95°) = 1.45 N

Rx = Rx1 + Rx2
Rx = 2.12 + 0.26
Rx = 2.28 N

Ry = Ry1 + Ry2
Ry = 1.23 + 1.45
Ry = 2.68

R = √(𝑅𝑥)2 + (𝑅𝑦)2 = √(2.38)2 + (2.68)2

R = 3.58 N

Position 𝜃R = 180° - 48.39° = 131.61°

Position 𝜃𝜃 = 360° - 48.39° = 311.61°

𝜃R = tan-1 (|𝑅𝑥 |)
|𝑅𝑦 | 𝜃R

= tan-1 (||22..6838||)

𝜃R = 48.39°
 3 .58 − 3 .5
% differenceR = [ 3 .58 + 3 .5 /2] * 100 = 2.26% % difference𝜃 =
* 100 = 91.50%

Part II – Equilibrium of Three Concurrent Forces

Table 2.2

Force (N) x – component (N) y – component (N) Angle

𝒎𝟏 = 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝒈 2.45 N -2.38 0.59 N 166°
𝒎𝟐 = 𝟑𝟎𝟎 𝒈 2.94 N 0N 2.94 N 90°
𝒎𝟑 = 𝟑𝟕𝟎 𝒈 3.63 N -0.25 -3.62 N 266°
Resultant 𝑹 2.63 N Rx = -2.63 N Ry = -0.09 N
1.72° 178.28
Equilibrant 𝑬 2.63 N Ex = 2.63 N Ey = 0.09 N
1.72° 358.28
Graphical Method 𝑹𝒈 2.5 N
1.6°
Percentage 5.07% Rgraphical Φgraphical 7.23%
Difference (𝑹, 𝑹𝒈)

Picture of the Interactive force table

 Graph

Sol’n

𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎
1𝑘𝑔
𝑚1 = 250𝑔 ×= 0.25𝑘𝑔
1,000𝑘𝑔
𝑚
𝑚1 = 0.25𝑘𝑔 × 9.8 𝑠2

𝑚1 = 2.45 𝑁
 𝑘𝑔
𝑚2 = 300𝑔 ×= 0.30𝑘𝑔
1,000
𝑔
𝑚
𝑚2 = 0.30𝑘𝑔 × 9.8 𝑠2

𝑚2 = 2.94 𝑁

𝑘𝑔
𝑚2 = 370𝑔 ×= 0.37𝑘𝑔
1,000
𝑔
𝑚
𝑚3 = 0.37𝑘𝑔 × 9.8 𝑠2

𝑚3 = 3.63 𝑁

𝑋 − 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑚1 = 𝐹1 = 2.45𝑁𝑐𝑜𝑠(166°) = 2.38𝑁
𝑚2 = 𝐹2 = 2.94𝑁𝑐𝑜𝑠(90°) = 0𝑁
𝑚3 = 𝐹2 = 3.63𝑁𝑐𝑜𝑠(266°) = −0.25𝑁

𝑌 − 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑚1 = 𝐹1 = 2.45𝑁𝑠𝑖𝑛(166°) = 0.59𝑁
𝑚2 = 𝐹2 = 2.94𝑁𝑠𝑖𝑛(90°) = 2.94𝑁
𝑚3 = 𝐹2 = 3.63𝑁𝑠𝑖𝑛(266°) = −3.62𝑁

𝑅𝑥 = −2.38𝑁 + (0.25𝑁) = −2.63𝑁

𝑅𝑦 = 0.59𝑁 + 2.94𝑁 + (−3.63𝑁) = −0.09𝑁

𝑅𝑥
𝑅 = 2.63𝑁
Position 𝜃R = 180° - 1.72° = 178.28°
Position 𝜃𝜃 = 360° - 1.72° = 358.28°

−1 (|𝑅𝑦|)

𝜃𝑅 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 |𝑅𝑥|

−1 (|1 − 2.63𝑁|)
𝜃𝑅 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 |1 − 0.09𝑁|
 𝜃𝑅 = 1.72°

% differenceR = 2.
2 * 100 = 5.07%

% difference𝜃 = 1.
2 * 100 = 7.23%

Part III – Equilibrium of Four Concurrent Forces

Table 2.3

Force (N) x – component (N) y – component (N) Angle

𝒎𝟏 = 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝒈 2.45 N -0.84 N 2.30 N 110°
𝒎𝟐 = 𝟑𝟓𝟎 𝒈 3.43 N -0.30 N 3.43 N 95°
𝒎𝟑 = 𝟒𝟓𝟎 𝒈 4.41 N -1 29 N -4.22 N 253°
𝒎𝟒 = 𝟓𝟓𝟎 𝒈 5.39 N -5.38 N 0.28 N 177°
Resultant 𝑹 8.01 N Ex = 7.81 N Ey = 1.78 N
12.84° 167.16°
Equilibrant 𝑬 8.01 N Ex = 7.81 N Ey = -1.78 N
12.84° 347.16°
Graphical Method 𝑹𝒈 8.00 N
10° 170°
Percentage 0.12% Rgraphical Φgraphical 24.87%
Difference (𝑹, 𝑹𝒈)

Picture of the Interactive force table

Sol’n

Part# 3

F = m*a

m1 = 250g * 10001 𝑘𝑔 𝑔 = 0.25 kg

F1 = 0.25 kg * 9.8 m/s2

F1 = 2.45 N

m2 = 350 g * 10001 𝑘𝑔 𝑔 = 0.35 kg

F2 = 0.35 kg * 9.8 m/s2

F2 = 3.43 N

m3 = 450 g * 1000 1 𝑘𝑔 𝑔 = 0.45 kg F3 = 0.45 g * 9.8 m/s2

F3 = 4.41 N
m4 = 550 g * 1000 1 𝑘𝑔 𝑔 = 0.55 kg

F4 = 0.55 g * 9.8 m/s2

F3 = 5.39 N

x - Component:

m1 = F1 = 2.45 N cos (110°) = - 0.84 N m2 =

F2 = 3.43 N cos (95°) = - 0.30 N m3 = F3 =
4.41 N cos (253°) = - 1.29 N
m4 = F4 = 5.39 N cos (177°) = - 5.38 N

y - Component:

m1 = F1 = 2.45 N sin (110°) = 2.30 N m2 =

F2 = 3.43 N sin (95°) = 3.42 N m3 = F3 =
4.41 N sin (253°) = - 4.22 N
m4 = F4 = 5.39 N sin (177°) = 0.28 N

Rx = - 0.84 N + (- 0.30 N) + (- 1.29 N) + (- 5.38 N) = - 7.81 N

Ry = 2.30 N + (3.42 N) + (- 4.22 N) + (0.28 N) = 1.78 N

R = √(𝑅𝑥)2 + (𝑅𝑦)2 = √(− 7.81 𝑁)2 + (1.78 𝑁)2

R = 8.01 N

Position 𝜃R = 180° - 12.84° = 167.16°

Position 𝜃𝜃 = 360° - 12.84 = 347.16°

% differenceR = [ 88.01.01 + −8 .800.00/2] * 100 = 0.12%

 12 10
% difference𝜃 = [ 12 .84
.84
+
−
10 /2] * 100 = 24.87%
-1
(|𝑅𝑥 |)
𝜃R = tan
|𝑅𝑦 |

𝜃R = tan-1 (1 −1. 787.81 𝑁 𝑁)

𝜃R = 12.84°

Graph

Individual Report Score:

VI. Guide Questions

1. Can the value of equilibrant be equal to zero? If yes, why?

- Newton's second law states that a body will have no acceleration when the vector sum of all
forces acting on it is zero. Therefore, an equilibrant force is equal in magnitude and opposite in
direction to the resultant of all other forces acting on a body.
2. If two vectors have the unequal magnitude, can their resultant be equal to zero?
- No, resultant of zero can be produced by three vectors of different magnitudes,
but it cannot be produced by two vectors of different magnitudes. This is
because vector effects only cancel out when they have the same magnitude and
act in the opposite direction.
3. Compare percentage difference and percentage error.
- In order to calculate the difference between two values, you must first calculate the percentage
error. The percentage error measures how precise your experimental value is.

VII. Conclusion
- I concluded that the equilibrium resultant acting on an object was shown to be zero using a
force table. The equilibrant force has the same magnitude as the resultant force but operates in
the opposite direction. I determined the magnitude of the sum of forces acting on an object by
using a graphical method.