Republic of the Philippines

Laguna State Polytechnic University

Province of Laguna

SCI 2
LABORATORY 1
Measuring Distance and Calculating Displacement using Vector Addition

Submitted by:
Bicomong, Elfred Camille N.
De Castro, John Lexer O.
Estrellado, Prince Ivan S.
Isleta, Jaisa Joyce B.
Miras, Lovely Joy L.
Pasco, Khristine P.
Reyes, Rex M.
Santos, Erwin Joseph P.
Violanda, Mhyles A.

Submitted to:

Engr. Kim Marinelle C. Tiamson

April 12, 2024

 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

SCI 2 – Physics for Engineers

LABORATORY 1. Measuring Distance and Calculating Displacement using Vector Addition

I. Introduction
In this report we will look into the fundamental of vectors, concept of distance, and vector
addition.

The objective of this lab is to calculate the displacement from the Laguna State Polytechnic
University (LSPU) 2nd gate to Business Affairs Office (BAO), the distance of LSPU 2nd gate to
LSPU library, and to compare the result of the distance and displacement of the path if you
returned directly from the LSPU Library to the 2nd gate.

Displacement is defined to be the change in position of an object. It can be defined

mathematically. Displacement is a vector. This means it has a direction as well as a magnitude
and is represented visually as an arrow that points from the initial position to the final position.

Vector, a quantity that has both magnitude and direction. It is typically represented by an arrow
whose direction is the same as that of the quantity and whose length is proportional to the
quantity’s magnitude. Although a vector has magnitude and direction, it does not have position.

Vector Addition in Mathematics is the fundamental operation of vector algebra that is used to
find the sum of two vectors. Vectors are mathematical quantities that have magnitude and
direction. A vector can be represented by a line with an arrow pointing towards its direction and
its length represents the magnitude of the vector.

Discuss the difference between distance and displacement with students after completing the
experiment. In displacement calculations, it is important to consider both magnitude and direction.
This entails any deviations between measured distance and calculated displacement as well as
different error sources.

II. Materials Needed

In this laboratory activity, we used a variety of materials to examine the measurements of
distance, displacement using vector addition. We used a retractable tape measure and compass
as primary tools, but a graph paper will assist in visualization.

Retractable Measuring Tape:

To establish how far an item has moved on a straight course, we use the retractable measuring
tape. It is stretchable and flexible at the same time which enables us to make accurate
measurements in meters that are crucial for our calculations.

Compass:
The compass helps us determine the direction of motion. The compass utilizes Earth’s magnetic
field for alignment purposes thereby giving direction in terms of degrees relative to a reference
point. This directional information is useful in calculating displacement vectors and apprehending
overall movements of the object.
III. Procedure
This is the step-by-step process of how they measured the displacement/distances. The group
has completed the actual measuring of the vectors of the places.

Step 1: They calculated the distance from the 2nd gate of LSPU - Main Campus to Motorcycle
Parking Signage using a meter with 3 m long, which was considered as the Vector A. The distance
was precisely measured as the 3-meter distances from the first point to second point were added,
which is 137.6 m long. As per the instructions, the direction of the vector is to West which has an
angle of 180°.

Step 2: Vector B, which is 75 m long, was calculated by measuring the distance between
Motorcycle Parking Signage to BAO. The group referred to the direction of vector A, and the tail
of vector B was connected to the head of the vector A and has an angle of 270°.

Step 3: For the Vector C, the group measured the distance from BAO to Volleyball Court which
is 24 m long. Using compass, the calculated angle of Vector C is -26° or 334° if based on the x-
axis going clockwise.

Step 4: The last vector, vector B, is the distance from Volleyball court to LSPU Library, which is
59 m long. Based on the head-to-tail figure of the vectors, Vector C has an angle of 270°.
.
IV. Results and Discussion
In this section, they tabulate the magnitude and direction of vectors, incorporating measured
values, followed by calculating their respective x- and y-components.

Table 1. Components of the Vector Displacements

Vector Name Magnitude Direction 𝒙- component 𝒚- component
⃗
𝑨 137. 6 m 180° -137.6 0
⃗⃗
𝑩 75 m 270° 0 -75
⃗𝑪 24 m -26° 21.57 -10.52
⃗⃗
𝑫 59 m 270° 0 -59
-116.03 144.52

Table 1 presents the computed magnitudes, directions, and x and y-components of Vectors A
to D. The data within the table were gathered or measured during the laboratory activity, starting
from the 2nd gate, and ending at the LSPU Library. The magnitudes of the vectors were calculated
by measuring the distances between each point. The directions of all the vectors were determined
based on maps drawn from the data. The components were computed using the formula Fx =
Fcosθ, as they lie on the x-axis of the Cartesian plane. Conversely, the y-components were
computed using the formula Fy = Fsinθ, lying on the y-axis.

Considering its approach to accuracy, it is not one hundred percent exact or precise. As data
varies due to the techniques applied using measuring materials and during the measuring of each
point itself, answers may also vary. However, the results may be close to accurate compared to
other results if the measuring activity is repeated.
 Guide Questions:
1. Show the vector map and calculate the displacement from 2nd gate to BAO. Show your
calculation below.

Figure 1. Displacement from 2nd Gate to BAO

−𝟕𝟓
⃗⃗ = √(𝑹𝒙)𝟐 + (𝑹𝒚)²
𝑹 𝜭 = 𝒕𝒂𝒏¯𝟏 (−𝟏𝟑𝟕.𝟔)

𝜭 = 𝟐𝟖. 𝟓𝟗° + 𝟏𝟖𝟎°

⃗𝑹
⃗ = √(−𝟏𝟑𝟕. 𝟔)𝟐 + (−𝟕𝟓)²
𝜭 = 𝟐𝟎𝟖. 𝟓𝟗°
𝟏𝟑𝟕. 𝟔𝒎 LSPU 2nd Gate ⃗𝑹
⃗ = √(𝟏𝟖𝟗𝟑𝟑. 𝟕𝟔 + 𝟓𝟔𝟐𝟓
𝟕𝟓𝒎
1. ⃗⃗
𝑹 ⃗⃗ = √𝟐𝟒𝟓𝟓𝟖. 𝟕𝟔
𝑹

⃗⃗ = 𝟏𝟓𝟔. 𝟕𝟏𝟐
𝑹

Based on Figure 1, the resultant of the vectors added is 156.712 m using the Pythagorean
Theorem, by summing the X and Y components from the table. The direction of the vector is
28.59° or 208.59° from the positive x-axis going counterclockwise.

2. Show the distance travelled from 2nd gate to the LSPU Library. Show your calculations and
represent distance as “d”.

Figure 2. Distance travelled from 2nd gate to the LSPU Library

⃗𝑨
⃗ = 𝟏𝟑𝟕. 𝟔𝒎
LSPU 2nd Gate
𝒅 = ⃗𝑨 + ⃗𝑩
⃗ + ⃗𝑪 + ⃗𝑫
⃗
⃗⃗ = 𝟕𝟓𝒎
𝑩
𝒅 = 𝟏𝟑𝟕. 𝟔𝒎 + 𝟕𝟓𝒎 + 𝟐𝟒𝒎 + 𝟓𝟗𝒎

⃗ = 𝟐𝟒𝒎 𝒅 = 𝟐𝟗𝟓. 𝟔𝒎
𝑪

⃗⃗ = 𝟓𝟗𝒎
𝑫

LSPU Library

The distance of all the vectors, from vector A to D, is added together, with the total of 295.6m.
 3. Show the sketch of the displacement map using the head to tail method and calculate the
resultant displacement ⃗𝐑
⃗ from the 2nd gate to the LSPU Library. Show your calculation
below.

Figure 3. Displacement map from 2nd gate to the LSPU Library

−𝟏𝟒𝟒.𝟓𝟐
⃗𝑹
⃗ = √(𝑹𝒙)𝟐 + (𝑹𝒚)² 𝜭 = 𝒕𝒂𝒏¯𝟏 (−𝟏𝟏𝟔.𝟎𝟑)

⃗⃗ = 𝟏𝟑𝟕. 𝟔𝒎
𝑨 LSPU 2nd Gate ⃗𝑹
⃗ = √(−𝟏𝟏𝟔. 𝟎𝟑)𝟐 + (−𝟏𝟒𝟒. 𝟓𝟐)² 𝜭 = 𝟓𝟏. 𝟐𝟒° + 𝟏𝟖𝟎°
𝜭 = 𝟐𝟑𝟏. 𝟐𝟒°
⃗𝑩
⃗ = 𝟕𝟓𝒎 ⃗𝑹
⃗ = √𝟑𝟗𝟑𝟓𝟎. 𝟑𝟔

⃗⃗ = 𝟏𝟖𝟓. 𝟑𝟑𝟓𝒎
𝑹
⃗⃗
𝑹
⃗𝑪 = 𝟐𝟒𝒎

⃗⃗ = 𝟓𝟗𝒎
𝑫
LSPU Library

The map in Figure 3 is drawn based on the computed displacement of Vectors A to D,

from 2nd Gate to Motorcycle Parking Signage, Motorcycle Parking Signage to Bao, Bao to
Volleyball Court, and Volleyball Court to LSPU Library, respectively. We presented the map using
the head-to-tail method, as instructed. To obtain the resultant vector, we first sum the X and Y
components. Then, we use the Pythagorean Theorem to calculate the resultant, which is 185.335
m. For the angle or direction of the resultant vector, we use tanθ and obtain 231.34° from the
positive x-axis going counterclockwise.

4. Compare the result of the distance and displacement of the path if you returned directly from
the LSPU Library to the 2nd gate.

While focusing on the question about the two concepts of distance and displacement in
regard to transition from the LSPU library to the second gate, it will be relevant to understand what
these terms mean and how they affect us.
As we reenact our route by reversing the path, we can observe that the original path's total
distance of 295.6 meters and the reversed path's total distance of 295.6 meters are identical.
Thus, the total distance traveled stays the same whether we travel ahead or backward along the
path.
In comparing the displacements of the original and reversed paths, the results of this show
that although the overall distances traveled on both courses stayed the same, the net
displacements differed, with the original path showing a larger magnitude than the reversed path.
These results highlight the significance of taking direction changes into consideration in addition
to trip distances when assessing spatial routes.

V. Conclusion

The study demonstrated that a vector possesses both magnitude and direction. The
displacement, defined as the change in position analyzed throughout the activity, is a vector
quantity.
 The study examines the concept of distance and displacement during the transition from the
LSPU library to the second gate. The total distance of the original path remains constant, while
the net displacement of the reverse path is different. The results highlight the importance of taking
into account changes in direction in the spatial assessment of routes, even though the overall
distances are identical. The research team used the head-to-tail method to measure the distance
from the motorcycle parking sign to the second gate of the LSPU main campus. The length of
vector B is 137.6 meters, and its angle is 180 degrees West. Vector C is 24 meters long and has
an angle of -26° or 334° when viewed clockwise. Vector B, the length and angle of the path from
the volleyball court to the LSPU library, is 59 meters.

Results are not 100% accurate due to data changes due to measuring techniques and point
measurements. The displacement map of the second gate of the LSPU library is presented using
the head-to-tail method, giving a vector of 185.335 meters and an angle of 231.34° with respect
to the positive x-axis in the counterclockwise direction. Meanwhile, the distance calculated is
295.6 m, which is greater than the computed displacement.

These data were discovered as the designated processes were carried out and successful in
identifying the wanted measurement.

VI. Documentation
The documentation outlines are a multi-phase measurement process, starting from Laguna
State Polytechnic University's 2nd Gate to the Library, encompassing distances to Motorcycle
Parking, BAO, Volleyball Court, and computes the total route distance.

The group has completed the actual measuring of the vectors of the places. They calculated
the distance from the 2nd gate of LSPU - Main Campus to Motorcycle Parking Signage using a
meter with 3 m long, which was considered as the Vector A. The distance was precisely measured
as the 3-meter distances from the first point to second point were added, which is 137.6 m long.
As per the instructions, the direction of the vector is to West which has an angle of 180°.

Figure 1.1: Measuring of Vector A

2nd Gate to Motorcycle Signage measurement
 Vector B, which is 75 m long, was calculated by measuring the distance between Motorcycle
Parking Signage to BAO. The group referred to the direction of vector A, and the tail of vector B
was connected to the head of the vector A and has an angle of 270°.

Figure 1.2: Measuring of Vector B

Motorcycle Signage to BAO measurement

For the Vector C, the group measured the distance from BAO to Volleyball Court which is 24
m long. Using compass, the calculated angle of Vector C is -26° or 334° if based on the x-axis
going clockwise.

Figure 1.3: Measuring of Vector C

BAO to Volleyball Court measurement
 The last vector, vector D, is the distance from Volleyball court to LSPU Library, which is 59 m
long. Based on the head-to-tail figure of the vectors, Vector C has an angle of 270°.

Figure 1.4: Measuring of Vector D

Volleyball Court to LSPU Library measurement

VII. References

REFERENCES

G. (2024, March 7). Vector Addition. Geeks for Geeks. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/vector-

addition/?fbclid=IwAR1yfBeb4sVD9QmTS_R0zurE90aUXR22ViimyVp0AOPzPEuo9bzIBfBWml
A

Khan Academy. (n.d.). https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/one-dimensional-

motion/displacement-velocity-time/a/what-is-
displacement?fbclid=IwAR3MhN4fswzKk783s0KmZnyt_A-
VJVevzCKA48wA1k6AXqkOsJ47mzYmKfc

Vector | Definition, Physics, & Facts. (2006, September 29). Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/science/vector-physics