Section, Year, Group Number: BSCE – 1F, Group 4 Date: April 6, 2021

Compilers: Masangkay, Arabella & Mayo, Joshua Subject:

Members: Physics for Engineers (LAB)
Manansala, Hector Patulay, Marjorie
PHYSENGL-M
Marcelino, Isabel Pensona, Mechkie Draizen
Mellendrez, Gisella Pico, Lea Jelizabeth
Nuñez, Liezel Ramirez, Abigail

Experiment 2
FORCE TABLE AND VECTOR ADDITION OF
FORCES

OBJECTIVES

1. Demonstrate the addition of several vectors to form a resultant vector using

a force table.
2. Demonstrate the relationship between the resultant of several vectors and
the equilibrant of those vectors.
3. Illustrate and practice graphical and analytical solutions for the addition of
vectors.

MATERIALS

Force table with pulleys, ring, and string, Mass holders and slotted masses,
Protractor and compass

THEORY

Physical quantities that can be completely specified by magnitude only are called
scalars. Examples of scalars include temperature, volume, mass, and time intervals.
Some physical quantities have both magnitude and direction. These are called
vectors. Examples of vector quantities include spatial displacement, velocity, and
force.

Consider the case of several forces with different magnitudes and directions that act
at the same point. The single force, which is equivalent in its effect to the effect
produced by the several applied forces, is called the resultant force. This resultant
force can be found theoretically by a special addition process known as vector
addition.
 One process of vector addition is by graphical techniques. Figure 2-1(a) shows the
case of two vectors, F1 of magnitude 20.0 N, and F2 of magnitude 30.0 N. A scale of
1.00cm=10.0N is used, and these vectors are shown as 2.00cm and 3.00cm in length,
respectively. The forces are assumed to act at the same point, but 60 0 different in
direction as shown. Figure 2-1(b) shows the graphical addition process called the
parallelogram method. Two lines are constructed, each one parallel to one of the
vectors having the length of that vector as shown. The resultant F R of the vector
addition of F1 and F2 is found by constructing the straight line from the point at the
tails of the two vectors to the opposite corner of the parallelogram formed by the
original vectors and the constructed lines. A measurement of the length of F R in
Figure2-1(b) shows it to be 4.35cm in length, and a measurement of the angle
between FR and F1 shows it to be about 370. Becausethescaleis1.00cm=10.0N, the
value of the resultant F R is 43.5N, and it acts in a direction 37 0with respect to the
direction of F1.

PROCEDURE

Part 1. Two Applied Forces

1. Place a pulley at the 20.00 mark on the force table and place a total of 0.100
kg (including the mass holder) on the end of the string. Calculate the
magnitude of the force (in N) produced by the mass. Assume that g = 9.80
m/s2. Assume three significant figures for this and for all other calculations of
force. Record the value of this force as F1 in Data Table 1.
2. Place a second pulley at the 90.00 mark on the force table and place a total
of
0.200 kg on the end of the string. Calculate the force produced and record as
F2 in Data Table 1.
3. Determine by trial and error the magnitude of mass needed and the angle at
which it must be located for the ring to be centered on the force table. Jiggle
the ring slightly to be sure that this equilibrium condition is met. Attach all
strings to the ring so that they are directed along a line passing through the
center of the ring. All the forces will then act through the point at the center of
the table. Record this value of mass in Data Table 1 in the row labeled
Equilibrant FE1.
4. Calculate the force produced (mg) on the experimentally determined mass.
Record the magnitude and direction of this equilibrant force F E1 in Data Table
 1.
5. The resultant FR1 is equal in magnitude to FE1, and its direction is 1800 from
FE1. Record the magnitude of the force F R1, the mass equivalent of this force,
and the direction of the force in Data Table 1 in the row labeled Resultant FR1.

Part 2. Three Applied Forces

1. Place a pulley at 30.00 with 0.150 kg on it, one at 100.00 with 0.200 kg on it,
and one at 145.00 with 0.100 kg on it.
2. Calculate the force produced by those masses and record them as F 3, F4, and
F5 in Data Table 2.
3. Determine the equilibrant force and the resultant force by following a
procedure like that in Part 1, Steps 3 through 5 above. Record the
magnitudes of the forces, the associated values of mass, and the directions in
Data Table 2 in the rows labeled FE2 and FR2.

CALCULATIONS

Part 1. Two Applied Forces

1. Find the resultant of these two applied forces by scaled graphical

construction using the parallelogram method. Use a ruler and protractor to
construct vectors with scaled length and direction that represent F 1 and F2. A
convenient scale might be 1.00 cm= 0.100 N. All directions are given relative
to the force table. Account for this in the graphical construction to ensure the
proper angle of one vector to another. Determine the magnitude and
direction of the resultant from your graphical solution and record them in the
appropriate section of Calculations Table 1.
2. Use trigonometry to calculate the components of F 1 and F2 and record them
in the analytical solution portion of Calculations Table 1. Add the
components algebraically and determine the magnitude of the resultant by
the Pythagorean theorem. Determine the angle of the resultant from the arc
tan of the components. Record those results in Calculations Table 1.
3. Calculate the percentage error of the magnitude of the experimental value of
 FR compared to the analytical solution for FR. Also calculate the percentage
error of the magnitude of the graphical solution for F R compared to the
analytical solution for FR. For each of those comparisons, also calculate the
magnitude of the difference in the angle. Record all values in Calculations Table
1.

Part 2. Three Applied Forces

1. Use the polygon scaled graphical construction method to find the resultant of
the three applied forces. Determine the magnitude and direction of the
resultant from your graphical solution and record them in Calculations Table 2.
2. Use trigonometry to calculate the components of all three forces, the
components of the resultant, and the magnitude and direction of the
resultant, and record them all in Calculations Table 2.
3. Make the same error calculations for this problem as described in Step 3 of Part
1 above. Record the values in Calculations Table 2
 Data Table 1

Force Mass (kg) Force (N) Direction

F1 0.050 0.49 20.00
F2 0.100 0.98 90.00
Equilibrant FE1 0.126 1.23 248.00
Resultant FR1 0.126 1.23 68.00

Data Table 2

Force Mass (kg) Force (N) Direction

F3 0.075 0.74 30.00
F4 0.100 0.98 100.00
F5 0.050 0.49 145.00
Equilibrant FE2 0.166 1.63 268.00
Resultant FR2 0.166 1.63 88.00

Calculations Table 1

Graphical Solution
Force Mass (kg) Force (N) Direction
F1 0.050 0.49 20.00
F2 0.100 0.98 90.00
Resultant FR1 0.100 1.24 68.20

Analytical
Solution
Force Mass (kg) Force (N) Direction x-component y-component
F1 0.050 0.49 20.00 0.46 0.17
F2 0.100 0.98 90.00 0.00 0.98
Resultant 0.127 1.24 68.20 0.46 1.15
FR1
PART 1. ERROR CALCULATIONS
Percent Error magnitude Experimental compared to Analytical = 0.24 %
Percent Error magnitude Graphical compared to Analytical = 0.00 %
Absolute Error in angle Experimental compared to Analytical = 0.2 degrees
Absolute Error in angle Graphical compared to Analytical = 0.0 degrees

Calculations Table 2

Graphical Solution
Force Mass (kg) Force (N) Direction
F3 0.075  0.74  30° 

F4 0.100  0.98  100° 

F5 0.050  0.49 145° 

Resultant FR2 0.166  1.62  87.5° 

Analytical Solution
Force Mass (kg) Force (N) Direction x-component y-component
F3 0.075 0.74 30.00 0.64 0.37
F4 0.100 0.98 100.00 -0.17 0.97
F5 0.050 0.49 145.00 -0.40 0.28
Resultant FR2 0.165 1.62 87.50 0.07 1.62

PART 2. ERROR CALCULATIONS

Percent Error magnitude Experimental compared to Analytical = 0.62 %
Percent Error magnitude Graphical compared to Analytical = 0.00 %

Absolute Error in angle Experimental compared to Analytical = 0.5 degrees

Absolute Error in angle Graphical compared to Analytical = 0.0 degrees
 COMPUTATION:

Data Table 1 Data Table 2

F1: F3:
F = mg F = mg
= (0.050 kg)(9.8 m/s2) = (0.075 kg) ((9.8 m/s2)
= 0.49 N = 0.735 or 0.75 N

F2: F4:
F = mg F = mg
= (0.100kg)(9.8m/s2) = (0.100 kg) (9.8 m/s2)
= 0.98 N = 0.98 N

Equilibrant: mass = 126 g = 0.126 kg F5:

F = mg F = mg
= (0. 126) (9.8 m/s2) = (0.050 kg) (9.8 m/s2)
= 1.2348 or 1.23 N = 0.49 N

Resultant FR1: Equilibrant: mass = 166 g = 0.166 kg

mE1 = mR1 F = mg
=0.126 kg = (0.166 kg) (9.8 m/s2)
= 1.6268 N or 1.63 N
FE1 = FR1
= 1.23 N Resultant FR2:
mE2 = mR2
θR1 = θE1 - 180⁰ = 0.166 kg
= 248⁰ - 180⁰
= 68.0⁰ FE1 = FR1
= 1.63 N

θR2 = θE2 - 180

= 268⁰ - 180⁰
= 88.0⁰
Calculation Table 1 (Graphical) Calculation Table 2 (Graphical)
Given:
F 1=0.490 N ,20.0 ˚
F 2=0.980 N , 90.0˚
R=?

Solution:
F R =√ a2 +b2−2 abcosC
F R =√ (0.490 N )2+(0.980 N)2 −2 ( 0.490 N ) ( 0.980 N ) cos 110 ˚
F R =1.237 N

b 2+ c 2−a2
cosA =
2 bc
b2 +c 2−a2
Á=cos−1 [ 2 bc ]
(0.980 N )2 +(1.237 N )2−( 0.490 N )2
Á=cos −1
[ 2(0.980 N )( 1.237 N ) ]
Á=21.842

θ R=90.0˚- 21.842˚
θ R=68.158 ˚
θ R=68.2 ˚
Calculations Table 1 (Analytical) Calculations Table 2 (Analytical)
Given: m= 0.050 kg Given: m= 0.75 kg
g= 9.8 m/s2 g= 9.8 m/s2
Required: F1 Required: F3
Equation: F 1=mg Equation: F 3=mg
Solution: F 1=mg Solution: F 3=mg
F 1=(0.050 kg)(9.8 m/s 2) F 3=(0.75 kg)(9.8 m/s 2)
F 1=0.49 N F 3=0.74 N

Given: F1= 0.49 N Given: F3= 0.74 N

Θ= 20.00 Θ= 30.00
Required: F1(x) Required: F3(x)
Equation: F1(x)= FcosΘ Equation: F3(x)= FcosΘ
Solution: F1(x)= FcosΘ Solution: F3(x)= FcosΘ
F1(x)= 0.49 cos 20.00 N F3(x)= 0.74 cos 30.00 N
F1(x)= 0.46 N F3(x)= 0.65 N
Required: F1(y) Required: F3(y)
Equation: F1(y)= FsinΘ Equation: F3(y)= FsinΘ
Solution: F1(y)= FsinΘ Solution: F3(y)= FsinΘ
F1(y)= 0.49 sin 20.00 N F3(y)= 0.74 sin 30.0 N
F1(y)= 0.17 N F3(y)= 0.37 N

Given: F2= 0.98 N Given: F4= 0.100 N

Θ= 90.00 Θ= 100.00
Required: F2(x) Required: F4(x)
Equation: F2(x)= FcosΘ Equation: F4(x)= FcosΘ
Solution: F2(x)= FcosΘ Solution: F4(x)= FcosΘ
F2(x)= 0.98 cos 90.00 N F4(x)= 0.100 cos 100.00 N
F2(x)= 0 N F4(x)= -0.17N
Given: F2= 0.98 N Given: F4= 0.98 N
Θ= 90.00 Θ= 90.00
Required: F2(y) Required: F4(y)
Equation: F(y)= FsinΘ Equation: F(y)= FsinΘ
Solution: F2(y)= FsinΘ Solution: F4(y)= FsinΘ
F2(y)= 0.98 sin 90.00 N F4(y)= 0.100 sin 100.00 N
F2(y)= 0.98 N F4(y)= 0.98 N
Given: F1(x)= 0.46 N Given: F1(x)= 0.46 N
F2(x)= 0 N F2(x)= 0 N
Required: Rx Required: Rx
Equation:Rx = ΣFx Equation:Rx = ΣFx
Solution Rx = ΣFx Solution Rx = ΣFx
Rx = 0. 46 N + 0 N Rx = 0. 46 N + 0 N
Rx = 0.46 N Rx = 0.46 N
Given: F1(y)= 0.17 N Given: F1(y)= 0.17 N
F2(y)= 0.98 N F2(y)= 0.98 N
Required: Ry Required: Ry
Equation:Ry= ΣFy Equation:Ry= ΣFy
Solution Ry = ΣFy Solution Ry = ΣFy
Ry = 1.17 N + 0.98 N Ry = 1.17 N + 0.98 N
Ry = 1.15 N Ry = 1.15 N

Given: Rx = 0.46 N Given: Rx = 0.46 N

Ry = 1.15 N Ry = 1.15 N
Required: R Required: R
Equation:R = √ Rx2 + Ry 2 Equation:R = √ Rx2 + Ry 2
Solution R = √ Rx2 + Ry 2 Solution R = √ Rx2 + Ry 2
R = √¿ ¿ R = √¿ ¿
R = 1.24 N R = 1.24 N
Given: Rx = 0.46 N Given: Rx = 0.46 N
Ry = 1.15 N Ry = 1.15 N

Required: Θ R Required: Θ R
Ry Ry
Equation:ΘR =tan ( Equation:ΘR =tan (
−1 −1
¿) ¿ ¿) ¿
Rx Rx
−1 R y −1 R y
Solution ΘR =tan ( ¿ )¿ Solution ΘR =tan ( ¿ )¿
Rx Rx
1.15 N 1.15 N
Θ R =tan−1 ( ¿ )¿ Θ R =tan−1 ( ¿ )¿
0.46 N 0.46 N
Θ R =68.20 Θ R =68.20

Given: FR= 1.24 N Given: FR= 1.24 N

g= 9.8 m/s2 g= 9.8 m/s2
Required: FR(Mass) Required: FR(Mass)
Equation: F R (MASS)=F / g Equation: F R (MASS)=F / g
Solution: F R (MASS)=F / g Solution: F R (MASS)=F / g
1.24 N 1.24 N
F R (MASS)= F R (MASS)=
( 9.8 m/s 2) ( 9.8 m/s 2)
 F R ( MASS )=0.127 kg F R ( MASS )=0.127 kg

Part 1 Error Calculation Part 2 Error Calculation

CALCULATION: Percent Error magnitude Experimental
Percent Error magnitude Experimental compared to
compared to Analytical
Analytical
PE= ¿ x 100 F R(analytical)−F R (experimental )
% Error=¿ ∨× 100
F R (analytical)
= |1.237−1.234
1.237 | x 100
=¿
1.62 N−1.63 N
∨× 100
= 0.24% 1.62 N
=0.61%
Percent Error magnitude Graphical compared to
Analytical Percent Error magnitude Graphical compared
PE= ¿ x 100 to Analytical

= |1.237−1.237
1.237 | x 100 % Error=¿
F R(analytical)−F R (graphical)
F R (analytical)
∨×100
= 0.00%
1.62 N−1.62 N
=¿ ∨×100
1.62 N
Absolute Error in angle Experimental compared to =0.00%

Analytical Absolute Error in angle Experimental compared

to Analytical
Abs. Error= |θ R (exp )−θ R (analytical)|
% Error=|θR(experimental) - θR(analytical)|
= |68.0 −68.2 |
o o
=|88°- 87.5°|
o
= 0.2 = 0.5°
Absolute Error in angle Graphical compared to
Analytical
Absolute Error in angle Graphical compared to
Absolute Error= |θR(graphical) - θR(analytical)|
Analytical
=|87.5°-87.5°|
Abs. Error= |θ R (gra)−θ R (analytical)|
=0.0°
= |68.2 −68.2 |
o o

= 0.0o
QUESTINS
1. To determine the force acting on each mass it was assumed that g = 9.80 m/s 2.
The value of g at the place where the experiment is performed may be slightly
different from that value. State what effect (if any) it would have on the
percentage error calculated for the comparisons. To test your answer to the
question, leave g as a symbol in the calculation of the percentage error.

2. Two forces are applied to the ring of a force table, one at an angle of 20.0 0,
and the other at an angle of 80.00. Regardless of the magnitudes of the forces,
describe which quadrant the resultant and equilibrant can be located.

3. Two forces, one of magnitude 2 N and the other of magnitude 3 N, are

applied to the ring of a force table. The directions of both forces are unknown.
Which best describes the limitations on R, the resultant? Explain carefully the
basis for your answer. (a) R≤5 N (b) 2 N≤R≤3 N (c) R≥3 N (d) 1 N≤R≤5 N (e)
R≤2 N.
4. Suppose the same masses are used for a force table experiment as were used
in Part 1, but each pulley is moved 180 0 so that the 0.100 kg mass acts at 200 0,
and the 0.200 kg mass acts at 270 0. What is the magnitude of the resultant in
this case? How does it compare to the resultant in Part 1?

5. Pulleys introduce a possible source of error because of their possible friction.

Given that they are a source of error, why are the pulleys used at all? What is the
function of the pulleys?

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