LABORATORY REPORT

Experiment 1

Vector Addition

Name: Raphael Fernando T. Adolfo CYS: MEB 31 Grade:

Instructor: Engr. Jennifer B. Igat Date Submitted: 9-16-2016

ABSTRACT:
Scalar is a quantity that deals with magnitude. Vector is a quantity that deals with both magnitude and direction.
Vector addition is a process wherein two vectors are added to determine the resultant vector. In this experiment
we have to determine the resultant vectors by three methods: analytical, graphical, and force table. We used the
following formulas to obtain the resultant magnitude and direction:

𝑅𝑦
FR = √𝑅𝑥 2 + 𝑅𝑦 2 and tan𝜃 = . In the force table we have to test the force of each weight tied in the clamp on
𝑅𝑥
the force table of the two vectors and three vectors in the experiment consecutively to determine the magnitude
and direction. We also had to do the Graphical and Analytical methods with the vectors that were given to find
also their magnitude and direction. These methods are not an easy process, for it takes focus and time to
determine the right answers to the problems. Each of the method has a certain process you have to follow to
arrive at an accurate answer with a measurement and a note of direction.

MATERIALS USED:

 Xplorer GLX

 Force Sensor

 Force Table

 Set of Weights

 Weight Hanger

 Pulleys

 Stings

 Protractor

 Ruler Bond Papers

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION:

1. Two Vectors

A variety of mathematical operations can be performed with and upon vectors. One such operation is the addition
of vectors. Two vectors can be added together to determine the result (or resultant). Recall in the newton's laws of
motion, that the net force experienced by an object was determined by computing the vector sum of all the
individual forces acting upon that object. That is the net force was the result (or resultant) of adding up all the
force vectors.

The first thing that we did is to convert the two given vectors from grams to kilograms and then multiplied it to
gravity which is 9.8 m/s2 to convert it into newtons. In the table we first did the component method by getting all
the x-component and y-component of the two vectors. To obtain the x-component and y-component of the two
vectors we use the formula: x = a cosθA and y = a sinθA. After getting all the x-component and y-component we
summed it and we use it to get the resultant magnitude and direction of the two vectors. To obtain the resultant
𝑅𝑦
magnitude and direction of the two vectors we used the formula: FR = √𝑅𝑥 2 + 𝑅𝑦 2 and tan𝜃 = . After getting the
𝑅𝑥

component method we then proceeded to the graphical method. We use the scale 0.1 N = 10 cm in our graph.
We first draw a small Cartesian plane and then draw the first vector which is 0.49 N, 00 to the right starting from
the origin. And then draw the second vector which is 0.98 N, 120 0 starting from the endpoint of the 0.49 N to the
left going up with an angle of 1200. After drawing the 2 vectors we then connected the endpoint of 0.98 N, 1200 to
the origin of 0.49 N we used a ruler and measured it to get the resultant magnitude and a protractor and measure
it also to get the angle or the resultant direction. After getting the graphical method we then proceeded to the last
part which is the force table. We set up the first the experiment we prepare the Xplorer GLX and the force table
placing it properly on the table making sure that it is stable. And then we hang the following weights on two of the
pulleys and clamp the pulleys at the given angle: Force A = 50 g at 00 and Force B = 100 g at 1200. We attached
the third string to the hook of the force sensor. We press the play button of the Xplorer GLX to turn it on and start
reading and we adjust the decimal places up to 4 to get a precise result. We also press the reset button on the
force sensor to make it zero so we can also get a precise measurement on the Xplorer GLX. By trial and error we
determine the equilibrium of the two weights by centering the ring over the center post without touching the string
of the force sensor at the force table. When the ring is already at the center, we press the play button of the
Xplorer GLX to stop recording and record the force. After that we determine the angle based on the force table
where the string coincides. The resultant magnitude is equal to the equilibrium measure in the Xplorer GLX but
the resultant direction is exactly opposite to the angle measured at the force table.

In this experiment, measuring and determining direction is mostly what this activity is about. The resultant
displacement was successfully determined by using each of the three methods: force table, component, and
graphical. The probable sources of error may be the wrong plotting of the given scales or quantities at the
graphical method as well as the wrong computations made at the component method. Also, with these results it
simply projects that vector addition is commutative and associative because in a sense that even though you
interchange the variables, you can still arrive at the precise answer.
 2. Three Vectors

A variety of mathematical operations can be performed with and upon vectors. One such operation is the addition
of vectors. Two vectors can be added together to determine the result (or resultant). Recall in the newton's laws of
motion, that the net force experienced by an object was determined by computing the vector sum of all the
individual forces acting upon that object. That is the net force was the result (or resultant) of adding up all the
force vectors.

The first thing that we did is to convert the three given vectors from grams to kilograms and then multiplied it to
gravity which is 9.8 m/s2 to convert it into newtons. In the table we first did the component method by getting all
the x-component and y-component of the three vectors. To obtain the x-component and y-component of the two
vectors we use the formula: x = a cosθA and y = a sinθA. After getting all the x-component and y-component we
summed it and we use it to get the resultant magnitude and direction of the three vectors. To obtain the resultant
𝑅𝑦
magnitude and direction of the three vectors we used the formula: FR = √𝑅𝑥 2 + 𝑅𝑦 2 and tan𝜃 = . After getting
𝑅𝑥

the component method we then proceeded to the graphical method. We use the scale 0.1 N = 0.5 cm in our
graph. We first draw a small Cartesian plane and then draw the first vector which is 0.49 N, 0 0 to the right starting
from the origin. And then draw the second vector which is 0.98 N, 120 0 starting from the endpoint of the 0.49 N to
the left going up with an angle of 1200. And then draw the third vector which is 0.98 N, 1900 starting from the
endpoint of 0.98 N to the left going down with and angle of 1900. After drawing the 3 vectors we then connected
the endpoint of 0.98 N, 1900 to the origin of 0.49 N we used a ruler and measured it to get the resultant magnitude
and a protractor and measure it also to get the angle or the resultant direction. After getting the graphical method
we then proceeded to the last part which is the force table. We set up the first the experiment we prepare the
Xplorer GLX and the force table placing it properly on the table making sure that it is stable. And then we hang the
following weights on two of the pulleys and clamp the pulleys at the given angle: Force 1 = 50 g at 00, Force 2 =
100 g at 1200, Force 3 = 100 g at 1900. We attached the third string to the hook of the force sensor. We press the
play button of the Xplorer GLX to turn it on and start reading and we adjust the decimal places up to 4 to get a
precise result. We also press the reset button on the force sensor to make it zero so we can also get a precise
measurement on the Xplorer GLX. By trial and error we determine the equilibrium of the two weights by centering
the ring over the center post without touching the string of the force sensor at the force table. When the ring is
already at the center, we press the play button of the Xplorer GLX to stop recording and record the force. After
that we determine the angle based on the force table where the string coincides. The resultant magnitude is equal
to the equilibrium measure in the Xplorer GLX but the resultant direction is exactly opposite to the angle
measured at the force table.

In this experiment, measuring and determining direction is mostly what this activity is about. The resultant
displacement was successfully determined by using each of the three methods: force table, component, and
graphical. The probable sources of error may be the wrong plotting of the given scales or quantities at the
graphical method as well as the wrong computations made at the component method. Also, with these results it
simply projects that vector addition is commutative and associative because in a sense that even though you
interchange the variables, you can still arrive at the precise answer.
DATA AND RESULTS:

A. Two Vectors

FA = 50 g @ 00 = 0.49 N

FB = 100 g @ 1200 = 0.98 N

Method Resultant
Magnitude Direction (𝜽)
Force Table 0.861 N 910
Component 0.85 N 900
Graphical 0.85 N 900

B. Three Vectors

F1 = 50 g @ 00 = 0.49 N

F2 = 100 g @ 1200 = 0.98 N

F3 = 100 g @ 900 = 0.98 N

Method Resultant

Magnitude Direction (𝜽)

Force Table 1.215 N 1440

Component 1.18 N 144.970

Graphical 1.18 N 1450