Experiment 2: Resultant and Equilibrant Forces

Laboratory Report

Jewelyn See, Fiona Theresa Superable, Chynna Samantha Sy, Edward Joseph Tucay, Jerome
Valeriano, and Vincent Marvin Yongco

Department of Math and Physics

College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
España, Manila Philippines

Abstract have on a particular object. Consequently, a

This experiment focused on determining
the resultant and equilibrant of any number of
forces. The forces’ directions were measured
using the force table and three weights; the
weights were the forces that acted on the ring
to where they were tied by pieces of string.
The angles obtained for each force measured
10° in QII, 50° in QI, and 80° in QIV
respectively for F1, F2, and F3. The
computed resultant for each pair of forces
were 0.83N 15.38° in QIV, 1.13N 45° in QIII,
and 0.98N 67.72° in QII for R1, R2, R3
respectively while the experimental values
were 0.98N 10° in QIV, 0.98N 50° in QIII,
and 0.98N 80° in QII.
1. Introduction
Each time an object is subject to various
forces, the resultant force is the force that
alone provides the equivalent acceleration as
all of the forces. Without a doubt, it is useful
for it simplifies and allows several forces into
thinking as though they constituted a single
force. By all means, this is a convenient way
to determine the effect that several forces
single force is only needed to distinguish its
entire effect.
These multiple forces, acting on a body,
also known as vectors are represented by an
arrow whose lengths are proportional to a
certain vector quantity and whose direction
indicates the direction of the quantity. The
use of the Pythagorean theorem can be of
great advantage for adding any two vectors
that are directed at right angles. However,
there are limitations to using this technique in
solving vector addition problems. This leads
to the application of different methods to be
able to derive the sum of the forces. To
illustrate, the component method can be
utilized as long as the vectors to be used point
along the same line or are perpendicular to
each other. On the other hand, the
parallelogram method is a method used for
calculating for the sum or the resultant of two
vectors. The polygon method also known as
the “head-to-tail” method is utilized for
finding the sum or resultant of two or more
vectors.
In line with these, the experiment aims to
attain the following objectives: (1) to
distinguish vector quantities from scalar
quantities, as well as (2) being able to gain
knowledge of the different methods in
solving for the sum or the resultant of two
vectors. The experimenters also intend (3) to
find the relation of one value of the force
among the three and the resultant of the other
two forces. Likewise, the experimenters
targets (4) to accurately calculate the
equilibrant and resultant forces through the
application of the trigonometric ratios sine,
cosine and tangent as well as the Pythagorean
theorem. This experiment also tries (5) to
distinguish such discrepancies in the values
obtained. Fundamentally, the experimenters
aim (6) to know how to the components of
forces in a 3D system relate to one another.
2. Theory
Since force is a vector quantity, it consists
of a magnitude and direction. Adding vectors
could be done graphically or analytically.
Under the graphical method, there are 2
methods – the Polygon Method and the
Parallelogram Method. On the other hand, the
analytical method makes use of the
Component Method.
The Polygon Method is used when there
are three or more forces to be added
graphically. The first force is plotted on the
Cartesian plane depending on its direction.
Then, the second force follows from the tip of
the first force. From the head of the second
vector, the third vector proceeds, and so on.
Finally, the resultant R will close the figure
by connecting the tail of the first vector to the
head of the last vector.
Another graphical method, the
Parallelogram Method, is used when adding
two forces. First, the tails of the first and
second forces should start from a common
initial point. From these two arrows serving
as the sides, a parallelogram will be formed.
The resultant will be the diagonal that
emerges from the common initial point where
both of the forces are connected.
For the analytical method, the
Component Method is used. The given
vectors are arranged according to its
horizontal and vertical components – may be
positive or negative depending on the
quadrant where they are positioned. Then, the
summation of the horizontal ( ∑ 𝑥 )and
vertical ∑ 𝑦 components are obtained. In
getting the individual magnitudes for each
force, the law of sine and cosine is utilized.
These values are plugged into the
Pythagorean theorem in order to get the
magnitude of the resultant. In getting the
exact direction, the formula for inverse
tangent is used.
For this experiment, the group used the
Component Method to get the resultants and
their corresponding equilibrants. To
determine the equilibrant of a force, one must
get the force’s magnitude, however, it is
oriented in the opposite direction.
The following formulae were used for the
Component Method:
Fx = Fcosq
Fy = Fsinq
 Suppose that there are 2 forces F1 and F2. The group used 3 forces acting at different
In solving for the horizontal and vertical angles, and assigned the resultant Fa for two
component, apply the formula mentioned: forces F1 and F2, Fb for F2 and F3, and Fc for
F3 and F1. The group plotted these three as
F1x = F1cosq1 F2x = F2cosq2 concurrent forces. The resultants were then
F1y = F1sinq1 F2y = F2sinq2 extended into the opposite direction, forming
the vectors FA, FB, and FC, respectively. After,
Thus, the three forces were used to determine
F1 + F2 = ∑ 𝐹𝑥 whether they were in equilibrium by
F1 + F2 = (F1cosq1 + F2cosq2)x + checking if the resultant was zero. Using
(F1sinq1 + F2sinq2)y component method, the group then computed
for the resultant of the three forces FA, FB, and
To get the magnitude, the formula FC.
below is used:
|𝐹1 + 𝐹2 | = *(∑ 𝐹𝑥)! + (∑ 𝐹𝑦)!

To solve for the direction, the formula

below is used:
∑ %&
q = tan"# 0∑ %' 1

3. Methodology

The materials used for this experiment

were a force table, weights, weight hangers,
protractor, and a ruler. These materials were
used in determining the magnitude and
direction of the resultant and equilibrant of
any number of forces using the force table.

The force table was first positioned in

such a way that its surface was horizontal.
The ring served as the object on which forces
act, while the pin within the ring allows
equilibrium to be established before motion
4. Results and Discussion
occurs. Forces were then applied by strings
that began from the ring until the pulleys to
the weight holders, where their direction was The resultant forces of two, out of the
read using the circular scale of the force table. three, forces from the force table shows a
slight inaccuracy of the true value of the Resultant Forces (Experimental)
resultant force; according to the data above. Ri Magnitude Direction
Only the resultant force of F1 and F2 shows Fa 0.98 N 80° Q II
an accurate result on the actual value of the Fb 0.98 N 10° Q II
resultant force, which is equivalent to the Fc 0.98 N 50° Q I
vector opposite of F3. This is proven by the
formula -E = R wherein E is the Equilibrant
force and R is the Resultant force. Since in Table 2.3: Equilibrant Forces
this experiment all the weights weigh 100 (Experimental)
grams, it is a given that the magnitude of all Equilibrant Forces (Experimental)
forces pulling the weights equal each other. Ei Magnitude Direction
Yet again, the computed values of the Fa 0.98 N 80° Q IV
resultants’ magnitudes are slightly inaccurate Fb 0.98 N 10° Q II
(except for the mentioned set of forces). The Fc 0.98 N 50° Q I
inaccuracy of data may be caused by two
factors: Human and Instrumental error. It
could be caused by a misreading of angle Table 2.4: Resultant Forces (Computed)
measurement or an instrument malfunction, Resultant Forces (Computed)
which is a fold on the metal plate. For the Ei Magnitude Direction
experiment to have an almost 0% error, all the Fa 0.98 N 69.72° Q II
angles between each string should be equal. Fb 0.83 N 15.38° Q IV
But the strings were not equidistant to one Fc 1.13 N 45° Q III
another in the experiment, thus resulting an
inaccuracy in the data sheet. For the data to
be accurate, F3 should have an angle of 290° Table 2.5: Computations for Fa
instead of 280°. Magnitude Direction
F1 0.98 N 10° Q II
F2 0.98 N 50° Q I
Table 2.1: Individual Forces
Horizontal Vertical
Individual Forces Component x Component y
Fi Magnitude Direction F1 –0.97 0.17
F1 0.98 N 10° Q II F2 0.63 0.75
F2 0.98 N 50° Q I SUM 𝚺𝑭𝒙 = –0.34 𝚺𝑭𝒚 = 0.92
F2 0.98 N 50° Q I Resultant Force
F3 0.98 N 80° Q IV Magnitude Direction
F1 0.98 N 10° Q II 0.98 N 69.72° Q II
F3 0.98 N 80° Q IV
Table 2.6: Computations for Fb
Table 2.2: Resultant Forces (Experimental) Magnitude Direction
 F2 0.98 N 50° Q I tangent, as well as the Pythagorean theorem
F3 0.98 N 80° Q IV to get the values for the computed resultant
Horizontal Vertical forces and compare it with the values
Component x Component y acquired for the experimental resultant forces.
F2 0.63 0.75
F3 0.17 –0.97 Comparing the experimental and
SUM 𝚺𝑭𝒙 = 0.80 𝚺𝑭𝒚 = –0.22 computed resultant forces obtained by the
Resultant Force researchers, it can be concluded that the
Magnitude Direction computed values for the resultant forces are
0.83 N 15.38° Q IV accurate because although they are not
exactly equal with the experimental value,
their deviations can be considered pretty
Table 2.7: Computations for Fc minimal and all values are still relatively
Magnitude Direction close to each other.
F1 0.98 N 10° Q II
F3 0.98 N 80° Q IV 6. Applications
Horizontal Vertical
Component x Component y
1. Differentiate the resultant and
F1 –0.97 0.17
equilibrant of two forces.
F3 0.17 –0.97
SUM 𝚺𝑭𝒙 = –0.80 𝚺𝑭𝒚 = 0.80 The resultant force is the vector sum
Resultant Force of two forces acting upon a single body at the
Magnitude Direction same time. It is obtained by adding all of the
1.13 N 45° Q III forces. Equilibrant force, on the other hand,
is a force that brings equilibrium to a body. It
5. Conclusion is the negative vector of the resultant because
the resultant and the equilibrant are equal in
magnitude but opposite in direction.
Using a force table setup with three
equal weights of magnitude 0.98 N tied
2. If three concurrent forces are in
around a ring located at the center of the force
equilibrium, what is the relation between
table, the researchers were able to measure
any one of the three forces and the
angle values of 10° in Quadrant II, 50° in
resultant of the other two forces?
Quadrant I, and 70° in Quadrant IV, wherein
all three angles were taken with respect to the
The concurrent forces are the
x-axis, for F1, F2, and F3, respectively.
resultant forces of the possible combinations
of any two forces. Any one that is not added
The researchers then made use of the
to the other two will be the equilibrant force.
component method involving the application
Since the equilibrant force makes the forces
of the trigonometric ratios sine, cosine, and
go under the state of equilibrium, the sum of
the equilibrant force and the resultant force is Resultant (R) = *(Σx)! + (Σy)!
zero. That means that they have the same
=*(−803.0)! + (−888.0)!
magnitude but different direction.
=1197.2 N

3. If two forces with the same ()

magnitude were exactly in opposite θ = tan"# | (* |
"+++.- /
directions, what is the magnitude and = tan"# | "+-0.- / |
direction of their resultant? What is the = 47.9°
magnitude and direction of their
equilibrant? θ in QIII= 47.9° + 180°
= 227.9°
Since the two forces have the same Resultant force= 1197.2 N at 227.9°
magnitude but opposite directions, they will
just cancel out. The resultant will have a
magnitude of 0 N and there will be no
direction. Since the two forces have a
magnitude of 0 N, the equilibrant will also
have a magnitude of 0 N and there will be
also no direction.

4. Use the component method to find

the magnitude and direction of the
5. A body weighing 100.0 N is
resultant of the following forces.
suspended by a rope. A second rope
attached to the body is drawn aside
A = 2000.0 N at 0°
horizontally until the suspended rope
B = 1500.0 N at 60°
makes an angle of 30° with the vertical.
C = 1000.0 N at 150°
Find the tension in each rope.
D = 3800.0 N at 225°
ΣFy= T1sinθ + T2sinθ + W = 0
x y
0= T1sin(120°) + T2sin(0°) + (-100.0N)
2000.0N cos(0°)= 2000.0N sin(0°)= 0
A 0= 0.86603T1 + 0 + (-100.0N)
2000.0 N N #--.-1
1500.0N cos(60°)= 1500.0N sin(60°)= T1= .+22-0
B T1= 115.5N
750.0 N 1299.0 N
1000.0Ncos(150°)= 1000.0N sin(150°)=
C ΣFx= T1cosθ + T2cosθ = 0
-866.0 N 500.0 N
3800.0Ncos(225°)= 3800.0N sin(225°)= 0= T1cos(120°) + T2cos(0°)
D 0= (-0.5)T1 + T2
-2687.0 N -2687.0 N
Σx= -803.0 N Σy= -888.0 N 0= (-0.5)(115.5N) + T2
T2= 57.8N
7. References

[1] CSM Physics Department (2010).

Preparation for physics. Retrieved
from
http://collegeofsanmateo.edu/physics
/docs/physics150/sectioniv/SectionI
V_Item06.pdf
[2] Components of vectors. (n.d.). Retrieved
from
https://www.siyavula.com/read/scien
ce/grade-11/vectors-in-two-
dimensions/01-vectors-in-two-
dimensions-04