NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER STUDIES

Cotabato City, Philippines

PHYS 1201B – Physics for Engineers Laboratory

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Laboratory Exercise No.: ____

Vector Addition

OBJECTIVES

To learn how to add vectors using the graphical and the analytical way.

To learn how to verify and solve for the resultant vector.

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT
Ruler Protractor Graphing Paper (optional)

THEORY/DISCUSSION
A vector is a quantity that has both a magnitude and a direction. Vectors include things
like displacement, velocity, acceleration, and force. A plus or minus sign can be used to indicate
the direction of a vector in one-dimensional or straight-line motion. Positive (+) motion is
usually considered forward, to the right, or upward, while negative (-) motion is usually
considered backward, to the left, or downward.

A vector describes motion in two perpendicular directions, such as vertical and

horizontal, in two dimensions. Each vector has vertical and horizontal components. We operate
with two-dimensional vectors by employing a frame of reference, such as a coordinate system.
We graphically represent vectors with an arrow with a length proportional to the vector's
magnitude and pointing in the direction that the vector is oriented.

The head-to-tail method is a graphical way to add vectors. The tail of the vector is the
starting point of the vector, and the head (or tip) of a vector is the pointed end of the arrow.
The next vector is drawn from the head of the previous vector. The resultant vector therefore is
drawn from the tail of the first vector to the head of the last vector drawn.

The head-to-tail graphical method of vector addition works for any number of vectors. It
is also important to note that it does not matter in what order the vectors are added. Changing
the order does not change the resultant.
PROCEDURES

Problem Statement: Three forces (vectors) are acting on a body. Force F1 is 35N pushing
the body to the right. Force F2 is subjected at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the
positive x-axis and has a magnitude of 40N. The 25N- force F3 is subjected at -30 degrees with
respect to the positive x-axis. Find the resultant vector using the methods specified in the
procedures A and B.

A. Procedure A: Graphical Method

1. Fill in Data Table A with the given data from the problem statement.
2. Using the scale 1cm = 5N, write the equivalent values of each vector in Data Table A.
3. Draw the vectors using the head-to-tail method.
4. Using a ruler and a protractor, measure the resultant vector.

B. Procedure B: Analytical Method

1. Draw the free body diagram of the problem.
2. Fill in Data Table B with the given data from the problem statement.
3. For each vector, solve for the x – and y- components.
4. Compute for the algebraic sum of the x- and y- components of all the vectors.
5. Using analytical method, solve for the resultant vector. Show your solutions on the
calculations page.

C. Procedure C: Graphical VS Analytical

1. Compute for the relative error and percentage difference of the resultant derived from
the two procedures.
2. Show your solutions on the calculations page.
DATA TABLES
Data Table A

Direction
Magnitude in
Vector (Angle with respect to Scale Value
Newtons
the positive x-axis)
Force 1

Force 2

Force 3

Resultant: _____________________

Data Table B

Direction
(Angle with
Magnitude in
Vector respect to the x-component y-component
Newtons
positive x-
axis)
Force 1

Force 2

Force 3

∑ x=¿ ∑ y=¿

Resultant: _____________________

Relative Error: __________________

Percentage Difference: ____________

QUESTIONS
1. Differentiate vector quantities from scalar quantities. Give three (3) examples for each.

2. What are concurrent forces? What are coplanar forces?

3. Differentiate resultant from equilibrant.

4. A set of forces are acting on an object. The first force, with a magnitude of 24.7 N, is
directed at -258° and the second force, with a magnitude of 53.2 N, is directed at +37°.
Solve for the resultant force and its exact direction analytically.

5. Determine the resultant of the following forces and its exact direction using the
component method:
F₁ = 16 dynes 32° south of east
F₂ = 56 dynes 17° west of south
F₃ = 24 dynes due west.
F₄ = 40 dynes 28° north of east
F₅ = 32 dynes 41° east of north
CONCLUSION