Exp (2) - Vectors (Lab Report)

COLLEGE OF SCIENCES
Department of Applied Physics
LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS IN
PHYSICS (1)
Vectors
Prepared by : BASSAM RASHED
36
Vectors
Objectives:
In this experiment you should learn the definition of a
vector, and how to represent it in space. Also, you should learn
how to apply the rules for vector addition both graphically and
analytically.
Apparatus:
Force table with three to four pulleys, mass hangers, slotted
masses, string, protractor, ruler, and sheets of graphic papers .
37
Theory :
Physical quantities can be classified into two main categories ;
scalar and vector quantities . A scalar quantity requires only a
magnitude to be given , whereas a vector quantity requires both
magnitude and direction for complete description . The direction of
a vector quantity is as important as the magnitude and without it
the quantity is meaningless.
Vector may be represented graphically as a directed line segment
. The length of the line represents the vectors magnitude and the
lines angle with respect to some coordinate system specifies the
vectors direction.
As an example of the process of vector addition consider the
case of several forces with different magnitudes and directions
which act at the same point . It is desired to find the net effect
produced by the several forces by finding a single force which is
equivalent in its effect to the effect produced by the several applied
forces. That single vector is called the resultant vector of the
several applied vectors . This resultant theoretically by a special
addition process known as vector addition.
The resultant vector ( R ) of two vectors as an example
A & B can be found by two methods analytical and graphical
method . In the analytical method each vector such as ( A )
which makes an angle ( ) with horizontal x- axis is first resolved
into two
components . Those components are horizontal
or x- component
(Ax)
and vertical or
y- component (Ay ). Those components are given by :
A
A
Ax = A cos ( )
, Ay = A sin ( )
Ax
Those components are at right angles , and thus the magnitude of
the resultant can be found from Pythagorean theorem.
Consider the case of three vectors A , B , C , firstly we
resolve each vector into two components , then taking the algebraic
y
38
sum of each of the components of the three vectors leads to the

following : Rx = Ax + Bx + Cx &
Ry = Ay + By + Cy
The magnitude of the resultant vector , R , is found to be the
following because the components Rx and Ry are at right
R ( R x ) ( R y ) and the angle ( )
angles:
resultant makes with x- axis is given by the following :
2
tan - 1 (
Ry
Rx
that the
) .
In the graphical addition process known as the polygon method

one of the vectors is first drawn to scale . Then each successive
vector to be added is drawn with its tail starting at the head of the
preceding vector . The resultant vector is then the vector drawn
from the tail of the first arrow to the head of the last arrow.
The polygon method is illustrated for the case of three vectors as
follows:
C
A
Firstly we draw the vector A with the same angle that it makes
with the positive x axis choosing the appropriate and the same
scale for all vectors . Then B is drawn at the proper angle ( )
relative to A, and C is then drawn at the proper angle ( )
relative to B. Finally the resultant R is the vector connecting the
tail of vector A and the head of vector C
As shown in the figure below :
39
C
R
A
So, you measure the length of the vector R which represents
its magnitude and measure the angle ( ) that the vector makes
with the positive x- axis.
The process of experimentally determining the value of the
resultant of several forces is complicated by the fact that when
nonzero resultant force acts on an object it tends to be accelerated .
Thus another force must be applied to produce an equilibrium . for
example , if two known forces , F1 and F2 , are applied to some
object , they will have some resultant FR . In order to keep the
object in equilibrium , a force equal in magnitude and opposite in
direction of
FR must be applied . The force applied in order to
produce equilibrium is called the equilibrant force FE . so , the FE
is the equilibrant force that must be applied in order to keep an
object in equilibrium . The magnitude and direction of this F E can
be found by trial and error experimentally . The resultant force F R
can be found from knowledge that FR and FE have the same
magnitude but opposite directions.
The force table used in the experiment is designed to allow
application of forces of any chosen magnitude at any chosen angle
. The force is provided by the gravitational attraction on masses
that are attached to a ring by string passing over a pulley. each
force is applied over a separate pulley , and pulley positions can be
adjusted to any desired position around a circular plate. It is
40
important to note that the force applied when a mass is hung on

the string is equal to the weight of the mass. The weight (in
Newtons) is equal to the product of the mass (in kilograms)
multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m / sec 2).
Procedure :
A : Resultant of two vectors
1
1) make sure that the top surface of the force table is

horizontal , and the rod in the center of table is at the
center of the ring when the two hangers are at zero and
1800 scale.
2) With the first hanger on 200 scale slot any mass on it then
find F1.
3)
Add a mass to the second hanger and find F2 , then
move it by means of its clamp , and fix it at 90 0 scale of
the table.
4) Find the force that is added to the third hanger to balance
the above two forces . This force is known as FE.
5) Find the resultant force FR ( magnitude and direction )
6) Record your data for masses and F1 , F2, FE , FR , , in
table 1 in your lab report.
A : Resultant of three vectors :

2
1) With the first pulley on scale 300 slot any mass on it then
find F1.
2) Add a mass to the second hanger and find F2 , then fix it at
1000 scale.
3) Add a mass to the third hanger and find F3 , then fix it at
1450 scale.
4) Following a procedure like that in the previous part , find F E
and FR.
5) Record your data in table 2 in your lab report.
41
Data Analysis :
1 ) For part A1 , use analytical method to find
F1x , F2x , F1y , F2y , FRx , FRy , F R , and that the resultant makes with x - axis .
2) Calculate the percentage error of the magnitude of the

experimental value of FR compared to analytical solution for FR.
3) Use graphical (parallelogram) method to find the resultant of
the two forces .
4) Calculate the percentage error of the magnitude of the graphical
solution for FR compared to analytical solution for FR
5) For part A2 , use analytical method to find :
F1x , F2x , F3x , F1y , F2y , F3y
, FRx , FRy ,
FR , and that the resultant makes with x - axis .
6) Calculate the percentage error of the magnitude of the

experimental value of FR compared to analytical solution for FR.
7) Use graphical ( parallelogram ) method to find the resultant of
the three forces .
8) Calculate the percentage error of the magnitude of the graphical
solution for FR compared to analytical solution for FR.
42
COLLEGE OF SCIENCES
Department of Applied Physics
LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS IN
PHYSICS (1)
Vectors
STUDENT LAB REPORT
Name: .... .
ID No.:.... Section:..... .
Partners name: .... .
Date:.. .
Instructors name .
43
Vectors
Force
F1
F2
Equilibrant FE
Resultant FR
Analytical solution
Force ( N ) Direction x-component
200
900
Force
F1
F2
FR
FR
Table 1
Mass ( Kg) Force ( Newtons )
Direction
200
900
y-component
Percentage error of FR (use the analytical result as real value).
Graphical method for the resultant of two force vectors
44
Force
F1
F2
F3
Equilabrant FE
Resultant FR
Analytical solution
Force ( N ) Direction x-component
300
1000
1450
Force
F1
F2
F3
FR
FR
Table 2
Mass ( Kg ) Force ( Newtons )
Direction
300
1000
1450
y-component
Graphical method for the resultant of three vectors
45
Questions :
1) What is the difference between vector and scalar quantity ?
2) Classify each of the following physical quantities as vectors or

scalars :
a) Volume :
b ) Force :
c ) density :
d ) velocity
e ) distance
g ) mass
h ) speed
f ) acceleration
i) weight
3) What are the conditions of equilibrium for given forces ?
4) What are the conditions for the two vectors to be equal ?
5) Two forces , one of 2N and the other of magnitude 3N , are

applied to the ring of a force table . The direction of both forces
are unknown . Which best describes the limitations on
,
FR
the magnitude
of resultant
a ) FR 5N
d ) 1N FR
b ) 2N FR 3N
5N
c ) FR 3N
e ) FR 2N
6) If the ring touches the rod , is the system at equilibrium or

not, why ?
46
7) Which of the following graphs represent a resultant force of

zero value acting on the same point of the object : why ?
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
8) List the possible sources of error in the experimental

determination of the resultant force using the force table .
9) Conclusion:
47

Exp (2) - Vectors (Lab Report)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Exp (2) - Vectors (Lab Report)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Exp (2) - Vectors (Lab Report)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

COLLEGE OF SCIENCES

Department of Applied Physics

Prepared by : BASSAM RASHED

sum of each of the components of the three vectors leads to the

In the graphical addition process known as the polygon method

important to note that the force applied when a mass is hung on

1) make sure that the top surface of the force table is

A : Resultant of three vectors :

2) Calculate the percentage error of the magnitude of the

FR , and that the resultant makes with x - axis .

6) Calculate the percentage error of the magnitude of the

Percentage error of FR (use the analytical result as real value).

Graphical method for the resultant of two force vectors

Percentage error of FR (use the analytical result as real value).

Percentage error of FR (use the analytical result as real value).

Graphical method for the resultant of three vectors

Percentage error of FR (use the analytical result as real value).

2) Classify each of the following physical quantities as vectors or

3) What are the conditions of equilibrium for given forces ?

4) What are the conditions for the two vectors to be equal ?

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

6) If the ring touches the rod , is the system at equilibrium or

7) Which of the following graphs represent a resultant force of

8) List the possible sources of error in the experimental

You might also like