PHY05P: GENERAL PHYSICS I

LABORATORY

Experiment 1
RESOLUTION OF FORCES

Adapted from PHY021 Laboratory Manual, Malayan Colleges Laguna

Last Revised: October 31, 2018 (MCL Senior High School Science Cluster)
PHY05P: GENERAL PHYSICS 1 EXPERIMENT #01

EXPERIMENT 1: RESOLUTION OF FORCES

BACKGROUND

Quantities are classified as either a scalar or a vector. Scalar quantities are those described with
just a magnitude (number and unit), while Vector Quantities are those with both a magnitude and
direction. In Mechanics, examples of scalar quantities are distance, mass, and time, while displacement,
velocity, acceleration, and force are some examples of vector quantities.
Calculations on scalar quantities simply require arithmetic operations. On the other hand,
combining vectors require different methods.

THEORY

Concurrent Vectors are vectors that are acting at a common point. An example of this is a tug of
war of four people using ropes (Figure 1-1). The resultant force is the effective force resulting from the
combined forces. In a system of concurrent forces, if the resultant force is zero, the system is at rest (not
moving). However, if the resultant is not zero, that means the junction (common point) is unstable or
moving.
N

6 E

W
4 5
5
S

Figure 1-1

Vector Addition is the method of finding the sum of vectors called the Resultant Vector. Two common
methods in finding the resultant are the: (a) Graphical Method, and (b) Analytical (Rectangular
Component) Method.

A. GRAPHICAL METHOD

To resolve vectors graphically, proper representation must be taken. Vectors must be represented
using arrows whose lengths are properly scaled depending on the magnitude. An example is a force with
magnitude of 40 newtons. If the scale is 4 cm : 8 N, then the force must be drawn as an arrow with length
equal to 20 cm. The direction of the arrow representing the vector is determined using a protractor.
Usually, the angle direction is measured from the positive x-axis of the rectangular coordinate system.

To determine the resultant vector of two or more concurrent vectors, each vector must be drawn one
after the other, where the tail of the next vector starts at the head of the previous vector drawn (Figure
1-2). This is called the head-to-tail method.

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The resultant vector should be drawn from the tail of the 1st vector, to the head of the last vector. The
magnitude of the resultant is determined by measuring the length of the resultant, then converting back
using the scale factor.

For example, if the length of the resultant is 50 cm, and the scale is 4 cm : 8 N, the Resultant’s
magnitude is 100 newtons.

Sample Calculation:
𝐹3
𝑅⃗ 8N
3 𝑅⃗ = 50 cm ×
4 cm
𝐹2
θ 𝑅⃗ = 100 N
+x
𝐹1

Figure 1-2

The direction of the Resultant is taken using a protractor by directly measuring the angle, θ, between
the resultant and the positive x-axis.

B. RECTANGULAR COMPONENT METHOD

Vectors can be represented by their horizontal and vertical components. That is, the combination of
the components, represent the actual vector. In the case of a force, the simultaneous effect of the
components is the same as the actual force. The components’ magnitude can be determined using the
sine and cosine functions. Referring to Figure 1-3, the horizontal and vertical components of force, F, are:

𝑭𝒙 = 𝑭 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 and 𝑭𝒚 = 𝑭 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽, respectively.

Note: The use of sin and cosine functions depends on the quadrant in which the vector is located and on
the axis in which the angle is connected. Recall previous Mathematics lesson on Reference Angles.

𝐹 𝐹
𝐹𝑦

θ 𝐹𝑥

Figure 1-3
Draw the vectors separately, then determine each vector’s x and y components using sine and cosine
functions.

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EXAMPLE:

𝐹2
𝐹1 𝐹2𝑦
𝐹1𝑦
𝐹2
θ4
𝐹1𝑥 𝐹2𝑥
θ3 𝐹1
𝐹3 θ2 θ1

𝐹3
𝐹3𝑦
𝐹4 𝐹3𝑥
𝐹4𝑦 𝐹4

For concurrent forces, the resultant force can be determined by adding the horizontal and vertical
components algebraically, to end up with the components, Rx and Ry of the resultant vector, R.

𝟐
𝑹𝒙 = 𝜮𝑭𝒙 = 𝑭𝟏𝒙 + 𝑭𝟐𝒙 + 𝑭𝟑𝒙 + 𝑭𝟒𝒙 𝑹 = √(𝑹𝒙 )𝟐 + (𝑹𝒚 )

𝑹𝒚
𝑹𝒚 = 𝜮𝑭𝒚 = 𝑭𝟏𝒚 + 𝑭𝟐𝒚 + 𝑭𝟑𝒚 + 𝑭𝟒𝒚 𝜽𝒓𝒆𝒇 = 𝒕𝒂𝒏−𝟏 | |
𝑹𝒙
Note: The quadrant location of the resultant force R is determined by the sign of R x and Ry. Based on the
figure above, Rx and Ry have signs of (-) and (+) respectively, leading to the conclusion that R must be in
Quadrant II. Also, the reference angle, 𝜽𝒓𝒆𝒇 , is computed by taking the arc tangent of the absolute value
of the ratio between Rx and Ry.

EQUILIBRANT FORCE

An Equilibrant Force (𝐹𝑒𝑞 ) is a force which tends to balance a system of concurrent forces. In
theory, the Equilibrant Force is the same in magnitude with the Resultant Force (𝐹𝑅 ) but directly opposite
in direction.

𝐹𝑅

𝐹𝑒𝑞

Figure 1-4

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PHY05P: GENERAL PHYSICS 1 EXPERIMENT #01

EXPERIMENT 1: RESOLUTION OF FORCES

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 To determine the resultant and equilibrant forces in a system of concurrent forces using the
Graphical and Analytical Methods of Vector Addition

 To compare the equilibrant force in a system of forces obtained from the experimental data, with
the equilibrant force calculated using the analytical method

MATERIALS

 Force Table
 Metal/Plastic Ring (with strings)
 4 pcs – Clamp Pulley
 4 pcs – Mass Hanger
 1 set – Slotted Masses
 1 pc - Protractor
 1 pc - Ruler with cm scale
 Pencils and/or Pens with different
colors

Figure 1-5

PROCEDURES

A. DETERMINING EQUILIBRANT FORCE AND RESULTANT FORCE USING GRAPHICAL METHOD

1. Clamp four pulleys around the edge of the Force Table as shown in Figure 1-5. The pulleys must
be located at random angles.
(Note: The pulleys are made of plastic. Extra care must be taken in clamping the pulleys to avoid
damaging the thread or breaking the material.)

2. Place the metal/plastic ring at the center of the Force Table.

3. Attach the mass hangers (mass = 5 grams) to the ends of the strings. Allow the strings to be
suspended on the pulleys.

4. Put different numbers of slotted masses in each hanger. No two hangers should have the same
total mass.

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5. Manipulate either the angles of the clamp pulleys or the masses in order to obtain an equilibrium
system. Equilibrium is obtained when the metal/plastic ring at the center does not touch the
center post of the Force Table.
(Note: It is better to view the ring from the top.)

6. Once equilibrium is obtained, assign a number for each string, 1 to 4.

7. Record the total masses in Table 1-A. Also, record the angles which can be obtained directly from
the force table.

8. Convert the masses in strings 1, 2, and 3 into weights or forces 1, 2, and 3, by multiplying the
masses with acceleration due to gravity, g (use g = 9.81 m/s2). Record the values in Table 1-A.

9. Convert the mass hanging in string 4 into weight or force 4 by multiplying the mass with
⃗ 𝒆𝒒 . Record the
acceleration due to gravity, g (use g 9.81 m/s2). Force 4 is the Equilibrant Force, 𝑭
values in Table 1-A.

10. Choose an appropriate scale (in cm) to convert forces 𝐹1 , 𝐹2 , and 𝐹3 to a scaled length. The scale
must be the equivalence between the force in newton and the length in centimeter. Record the
results in Table 1-A.

11. Draw forces 𝐹1 , 𝐹2 , and 𝐹3 on the graphing paper, head-to-tail, using the scaled lengths. Use
different color of pen for every force.

12. Using a red pen and a ruler, connect the tail of 𝐹1 to the head of 𝐹3 . This is the Resultant Force,
⃗ 𝑹 . Measure the length of the resultant force and record it in Table 1-A.
𝑭

13. Using a protractor, measure the angle that the resultant force makes with the positive x-axis. This
is the Resultant Angle, 𝜽𝑹 . Record the measurement in Table 1-A.

14. Convert the length of the measured resultant using the same scale factor. Record the value in
Table 1-A.

⃗ 𝒆𝒒 and 𝑭
15. Calculate the percent difference between 𝑭 ⃗ 𝑹 using the formula:

𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒1 − 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒2
% 𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = | | × 100%
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

16. Calculate the difference between 𝜃𝑒𝑞 and 𝜃𝑅 using:

𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = |𝜃𝑒𝑞 − 𝜃𝑅 |

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B. DETERMINING THE RESULTANT AND EQUILIBRANT FORCES USING THE RECTANGULAR

COMPONENT METHOD

1. From Table 1-A, re-record the values of the concurrent forces 𝐹1 , 𝐹2 , and 𝐹3 with the
corresponding equilibrant force, 𝐹𝑒𝑞 , in Table 1-B. Also, record the respective directions (in angle).

2. On the graphing sheet, draw the forces (vectors) separately and obtain the x and y components
using the rectangular component method.

3. Determine the values of the resultant components, 𝑅𝑥 and 𝑅𝑦 . Record the values on Table 1-B.

4. Compute for the magnitude of the resultant force (𝐹𝑅 ) and the reference angle of the resultant
force (θ𝑅 ). Record the values on Table 1-B.

5. Calculate the percent difference between the theoretical and experimental values of the resultant
R and the angle θ. Record all the results in Table 1-B.

𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒1 − 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒2
% 𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = | | × 100%
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

6. Calculate the difference between 𝜃𝑒𝑞 and 𝜃𝑅 using:

𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = |𝜃𝑒𝑞 − 𝜃𝑅 |

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DATA SHEET EXPERIMENT 1: RESOLUTION OF FORCES

GROUP MEMBERS SCORE

SECTION / GROUP DATE PERFORMED DATE SUBMITTED

TABLE 1-A: Determining the Equilibrant and Resultant Force Using a Force Table
MASS WEIGHT / FORCE ANGLE SCALED LENGTH
STRING
(kilogram) (newton) (degrees) (centimeter)
1
2
3
4

𝑺𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒆: __________________________
⃗𝑭𝒆𝒒: 𝜽𝒆𝒒 :
__________________________ __________________________
⃗𝑭𝑹 : 𝜽𝑹 :
__________________________ __________________________

% 𝑫𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆: __________________________ 𝑫𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆: __________________________

COMPUTATIONS

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GRAPHING SHEET FOR PART A

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TABLE 1-B : Determining the Resultant and Equilibrant Forces using the Rectangular Component Method
HORIZONTAL VERTICAL
WEIGHT / FORCE ANGLE
STRING COMPONENT COMPONENT
(newton) (degrees)
𝑭𝒙 (N) 𝑭𝒚 (N)
1
2
3
Resultant Component:
⃗𝑭𝒆𝒒: 𝜽𝒆𝒒 :
__________________________ __________________________
⃗𝑭𝑹 : 𝜽𝑹 :
__________________________ __________________________

% 𝑫𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆: __________________________ 𝑫𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆: __________________________

COMPUTATIONS

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GRAPHING SHEET FOR PART B

APPROVED: _____________________________________ DATE: ________________

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GUIDE QUESTIONS

1. If the order in which the vectors were drawn was changed, what would happen to the
resultant?

2. In your opinion, what are the factors that may have contributed to errors in finding the
resultant vector graphically?

3. In finding the resultant, is the Rectangular Component Method easier to use than the Graphical
Method? Why or why not?

4. Which method has a greater percent difference? What does it mean?

5. In the force table system, given a set of concurrent forces, which is more likely to become
greater than the other, the experimental equilibrant or the analytical equilibrant? Why?

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INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS & SUMMARY

PART A.

PART B.

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