EXPERIMENT NO.

2
VECTORS

Name: __________________________________ Course & Year: _________________________

Group No.: ______________________________ Time/Days: ____________________________
Instructor: _______________________________ Date: ________________________________

OBJECTIVE:
 To determine the resultant vectors by analytical, graphical and force table methods.

APPARATUS:
 Ruler
 Force Table
 Protractor
 Mass and Hanger Set

INTRODUCTION:

Most of the physical quantities encountered in physics are either scalar or vector quantities. A
scalar quantity is defined as a quantity that has magnitude only. Typical examples of scalar
quantities are time, speed, temperature, and volume. A scalar quantity or parameter has no
directional component, only magnitude. A vector quantity is defined as a quantity that has both
magnitude and direction. Position, displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, weight, and
momentum are examples of vector quantities. The sum of any two or more vectors can be
determined analytically or graphically.

Graphical methods are of two kinds, parallelogram and closed polygon. The parallelogram
method is especially suitable when there are two forces while the closed polygon method is
used when there are more than two forces.
 X’ C
Y

R
R B

Y’
X A

O O

Parallelogram Method Closed Polygon Method

Figure 2.1 Figure 2.2

Analytical methods are of two kinds: the Laws of Sine and Cosine and the Component Method.
When only two vectors are to be added, the resultant is readily obtained by the use of the Laws
of Sine and Cosine. If there are two or more vectors involved, the Component Method is easier to
use.

The experimental method in determining the resultant and equilibrant is by using the force table.
The object on which the forces act is a ring at the center of the table. Strings that pass over
frictionless pulleys to weight holders apply the given forces. The direction of each force is read on
the circular scale of the force table.
PROCEDURE:

1. Each group is assigned a set of vectors by the instructor. Find the resultant of the given
vectors graphically by the parallelogram method (2 vectors), and closed polygon method (3
vectors). Transform the resultant vectors into equilibrant vectors. The equilibrant vector is
equal in magnitude to the resultant vectors, but opposite in direction.
2. Solve the resultant vectors analytically using the parallelogram law (2 vectors) and the
component method (3 vectors). Transform the resultant vectors into equilibrant vectors.
3. Find the resultant and equilibrant vectors using the force table.
4. Compare the results obtained in the different methods and solutions for the percent
difference.

Table 2.1 Table of Data and Results

Resultant Equilibrant

Graphical Method Magnitude Angle/Direction Magnitude Angle/Direction

Parallelogram
Method
(2 vectors)
Closed Polygon
(3 vectors)
Analytical Method

Parallelogram Law
(2 vectors)
Component Method
(3 vectors)
Force Table
 3 vectors

2 vectors

COMPUTATIONS:
COMPUTATIONS (CONTINUATION):

CONCLUSION(S) AND RECOMMENDATION(S):

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