ACCELERATED PHYSICS LAB REPORT

VECTOR EXPERIMENT

Two Vectors diagram Three Vectors diagram

By a group of students from 1101 including:

Witchayut Ngarmpornchai 5961183

Phatsakorn Rodphol 5961175
Achitphol Poollarp 5961164
Watcharit Polsen 5961154
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Introduction

We see movements of every objects and matters, as well as their

direction of where they moving to in our daily life. If we want to write down the
force/or direction in paper, we can use Euclidean Vector. Euclidean Vectors,
also known in short term as vector, are very well-known for its application on
Mathematics, Physics and Engineering. Vectors can represent the force of which
we give it out. In addition, vector is the quality that have both magnitude and
direction (Mathwizard, 2001). Vectors usually draw by an arrow with its tail as
the starting point and the head as the finish point. An arrow can represent two
things in itself; First is the length of the arrow which derived from the amount
of the force or magnitude of force we have, and Second is its direction of the
head end that points out the direction of the force itself. Vectors cooperate with
many style of Mathematics calculations. Vectors can be calculate by using both
Graphical and Analytical method.

There will conduct an experiment to prove that the resultant vector can be
canceled by using the equilibrant vector which is an opposite direction but same
magnitude. It was known when two vectors were balanced by observing at the
ring that were prepared. If the ring situated in the centre of the circle, then it
results in the equal magnitude of force applied to the ring. Therefore, before
conducting the experiment, the plan is to prepare calculations using both
graphical and analytical methods.
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Methods of finding resultant vector

Graphical method

Graphical method uses graphical skills to add vectors together in order to

find the resultant vector. Basic measurement knowledge is needed, when we add
vectors together, it is essential to determine the scale of the graph before
graphing; Scaling makes graphical method easy and convenient to use because
it is the most basic type of how to add vectors together and requires
fundamental graphing knowledge.

Graphical method is consisted of three types: Triangle rule, Parallelogram

and Polygon method. Triangle rule or in other word Polygon rules, which is
Triangle rule but used to add more than two vectors together, is the basic vector
addition, the vectors are connected by putting the tip connect to the tail of the
another vector, which as many vector can be added by this method. Therefore,
the resultant vector can be calculated or measured by marking out the resultant
line from the starting point from the first vector and draw the line to the ended
point on the tip of the last vector. After the resultant vector is drawn, use a ruler
to take the measurement of the resultant vector, the ruler should be set from the
tail of the starting vector and measure the size of the resultant, then after the
resultant is measured, convert the resultant vector, which is in the scale size, to
the real or actual vector size which is occurred in the experiment.

Moreover, Parallelogram is the another method used to add vectors

together by drawing the given vectors out from the origin point and draw the
dotted line to form a parallelogram shape, then mark the resultant vector by
drawing the straight line from the origin to the opposite diagonal side. Then,
measure the resultant vector by using ruler to measure and evaluate the size of
the resultant vector. In addition, both of the calculations can measure the angle
or direction by using the well known instrument called half circle protractor
which quantify every degrees from 0 to 180. Hence, from graphical method is
useful when there are instruments available use for measuring the magnitude
and indicating the angle or degree.
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Analytical Method

Analytical method uses Math calculation to solve problems, adding

vectors by using analytical method requires Mathematics knowledge e.g.
Trigonometry, Sine law, Cosine law, and basic math skills etc. Usually the
resultant vector can be calculated by using these laws, so analytical method is
faster and more accurate than graphical but often miscalculated. Even though,
vectors can be calculated by using analytical method, a brief graphical drawing
is required to give the overview picture of how the resultant vector will be
calculated, and this overview has benefit because it gives reference of how the
resultant vector and how does all vector in the calculation are added.

Objective
The goals of conducting this experiment is to learn how to calculate the
component values of vector by using both graphical and analytical methods in
order to find the resultant vector. The experiment gives an overview picture of
how the actual Physics quantity e.g. Force works, and all students in the group
will have chances to collaborate and work with other people in their own group.
The calculation also proves that the resultant vector and equilibrant have
the same magnitude but only opposite in direction. Therefore, Dynamics are
balanced, and the object conserves its motion when all the force or net force
acting on the object is zero.
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Materials

- Force Table with degree measurement

- Mass Hooks with four different mass:

- 10 grams mass

- 20 grams mass

- 50 grams mass

- 100 grams mass

- Strings with four circular rings

- Small metal pole

- Pulleys

- Force Table base

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Procedure I
Two Forces
1. Set up the force table and place a small rounded marble on it to check that
its thoroughly balanced or not, and then place four pulleys at the border
of the table on the 90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees position.
2. After the force table and pulleys are set, then place a small metal pole in
the middle, make sure that four pulleys are exactly in the right position
90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees.
3. Think and discuss about the problem weve got and make calculations
using vector addition rules.
4. Calculate and draw the vectors on the paper, which gives a brief picture
of how the experiment will be done.
5. Add masses to the hook together as the amount we calculated on the
paper and link those hooks to the center circular ring placed in the middle
of the plate and run the cords through pulleys, each cord per a pulley, and
hang the hooks down, which give forces that affect the movement and
position of the ring, which is placed to encircle a small metal pole.
6. Set the mass hooks as followed: 100 grams heading 0 degrees to the East,
and 100 grams heading 120 degrees to North of West.
7. Calculate the resultant force exerted by two masses and add the
equilibrant force to make two vectors balanced; The equilibrant vector
has the same magnitude as the resultant but exerting in opposite direction.
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Procedure II
Three Forces
1. Set up the force table and place a small rounded marble on it to check that
its thoroughly balanced or not, and then place four pulleys at the border
of the table on the 90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees position.
2. After the force table and pulleys are set, then place a small metal pole in
the middle, make sure that four pulleys are exactly in the right position
90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees.
3. Think and discuss about the problem weve got and make calculations
using vector addition rules.
4. Calculate and draw the vectors on the paper, which gives a brief picture
of how the experiment will be done.
5. Add masses to the hook together as the amount we calculated on the
paper and link those hooks to the center circular ring placed in the middle
of the plate and run the cords through pulleys, each cord per a pulley, and
hang the hooks down, which give forces that affect the movement and
position of the ring, which is placed to encircle a small metal pole.
6. Set the mass hooks as followed: 100 grams headed 300 degrees to South
of East, 100 grams headed 0 degree to the East, 100 grams headed 60
degrees to North of East.
7. Calculate the resultant force exerted by two masses and add the
equilibrant force to make two vectors balanced; The equilibrant vector
has the same magnitude as the resultant but exerting in opposite direction.
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Data and Result

Two Forces:

Force Magnitude Direction

F1 100 grams 0 degree
F2 100 grams 120 degree
Equilibrant E1 100 grams 240 degree
Resultant R1 100 grams 60 degree

Three Forces:

Force Magnitude Direction

F1 100 grams 300 degree
F2 100 grams 0 degree
F3 100 grams 60 degree
Equilibrant E2 200 grams 180 degree
Resultant R2 200 grams 0 degree
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Calculation
Graphical Method:
Parallelogram Method Polygon Method
Magnitude Direction Magnitude Direction
Equilibrant 100 grams 300 degree
E1
Resultant R1 100 grams 60 degree
Equilibrant 200 grams 180 degree
E2
Resultant R2 200 grams 0 degree

Two Forces Parallelogram Method

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Three Forces Polygon Method

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Analytical Method:
Two forces: sin/cos law
Formula
- Sine Law sinA
a =
sinB
b = sinC
c

- Cosine Law
c 2 = a 2 + b 2 2ab cosC

- Pythagorean Theorem c 2 = a 2 + b 2

Opp
- Trigonometry sin = Hyp
Adj
cos = Hyp
Opp
tan = Adj
Opp
- Inverse Trigonometric function sin 1 = Hyp
Adj
cos 1 = Hyp
Opp
tan 1 = Adj
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Force Magnitude Direction

F1 100 grams 0 degree

F2 100 grams 120 degree

Equilibrant 100 grams 240 degree

(E1)

Resultant 100 grams 60 degree

(R1)

Solution: First, total up F1 and F2 on the x and y axis by using trigonometry.

Then, use trigonometry to find the resultant vector and finally apply the
formula E = R + 180

F 1X = 100 cos 0 = 100 grams

F 2X = 100 cos 60 = 50 grams

F1 Y = 100 sin 0 = 0 gram

F2 Y = 100 sin 60 = 503 g rams

x is 100 -50 = 50 and y is 503 - 0 = 503 g rams

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Use Pythagorean Theorem to calculate resultant vector

Resultant = (50) 2
+ (503) 2 = 100 grams

y 503
tan = x = 50 = 60

= 60

Therefore, R = 100 g, 60

E = 100 g, 60 + 180

= 100 g, 240

Three forces:

Force Magnitude Direction

F1 100 grams 300 degree

F2 100 grams 0 degree

F3 100 grams 60 degree

Equilibrant 200 grams 180 degree

(E2)
Resultant 200 grams 0 degree
(R2)
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Solution: First, total up F1, F2 and F3 on the x and y axis by using

trigonometry. Then, use trigonometry to find the resultant vector and finally

apply the formula E = R + 180

F 1X = 100 cos 60 = 50 grams

F 2X = 100 cos 0 = 100 grams

F3 X = 100 cos 60 = 50 grams

F1 Y = 100 sin 60 = 503 g rams

F2 Y = 100 sin 0 = 0 g ram

F3 Y = 100 sin 60 = 50 3 g rams

Therefore x = 100 + 100 + 50 = 200 and y = 503 + 503 + 0 = 0

g ram

Use Pythagorean theorem

Resultant = (200) 2
+ (0) 2 = 200 grams
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y 0
tan = x = 200 =0

= 0

Therefore, R = 200 g rams , 0

E = 200 g, 0 + 180

= 200 g, 180

Percent Difference (%)

2(Rexpt Rgraph)
Formula: % dif f erence = Rexpt + Rgraph 100

Experimental Graphical Analytical Percent

value Value Value Difference
R1 100 grams 100.2 grams -0.2 %
Experimen
tal Verse
Graphical
R1 100 grams 100 grams 0 %
Experimen
tal Versus
Analytical

Experimental Graphical Value Analytical Percent

value Value Difference
R2 100 grams 100.1 grams -0.1 %
Experimen
tal Verse
Graphical
R2 100 grams 100 grams 0 %
Experimen
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tal Versus
Analytical

Two Forces:
2(Rexpt Rgraph)
% dif f erence = Rexpt + Rgraph 100%
2(100100.2)
= 100+100.2 100%
= 0.2%

2(Rexpt Ranalytical)
% dif f erence = Rexpt + Ranalytical 100%
2(100100)
= 100+100
100%
= 0%

Three Forces:

2(Rexpt Rgraph)
% dif f erence = Rexpt + Rgraph 100%
2(100100.1)
= 100+100.1 100%
= 0.1%

2(Rexpt Ranalytical)
% dif f erence = Rexpt + Ranalytical 100%
2(100100)
= 100+100
100%
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= 0%

Analysis and Result

The result shows that when graphical method has more margin of error when
compared to analytical method which uses Mathematics to calculate. In the
experiment, sometimes the calculations and concepts are correct but there was a
human error, or in another word when human do experiment, errors are always
happened because people have different perspectives when it comes to
measurement, which is important in order to get an accurate and precision
results. Setting is an important part of doing experiment, if the setup is wrong,
then the result will be incorrect. In the experiment, the cord has to direct exactly
and precisely on the angle which we want vectors to direct, but then sometimes
human errors can be found, so the result of the experiment changed when one of
the cord is not directed towards the precise angle. Hence, controlling every
variable and component of experiment is important in order to collect an actual
and accurate results. Moreover, doing both analytical and graphical give more
accuracy to the result or resultant vector. Doing the experiment several times
helps to get more precision result.

Conclusion
In conclusion, both experiment and analytical values gave out the same value
of magnitude, but analytical value has a margin of error percentage of 0%. But
for the experiment and graphical comparison, there is higher error causing by
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doing graphical method which the value is higher than the experimental result.
Therefore, the margin of error for adding two vectors is -0.2% and adding three
vectors is -0.1%.

References:
- Mathwizard (2011, November 15). Euclidean Vector. Retrieved from
http://planetmath.org/euclideanvector
- Clark University (1997). The Laws of Cosines and Sines. Retrieved from
http://www2.clarku.edu/~djoyce/trig/laws.html