Fundamentals of Vector
Quantities’ Resultant Force and
the Force Table
Jet Miguel C. Lorenzo1, Ian Gabriel S. Dela Cena1, Roanne C. Gabriel1,
Lean Kate F. Peña1, and Princess Ashley A. Mina2
1
Student, City of Mandaluyong Science High School, Mandaluyong City
2
Faculty, City of Mandaluyong Science High School, Mandaluyong City
Introduction
Vector, in physics, is a quantity that has both
magnitude and direction. It is typically
represented by an arrow whose direction is
the same as that of the quantity and whose
length is proportional to the quantity’s
magnitude. (Britannica.com, 2018) Examples
of vectors in nature are velocity, momentum,
force, electromagnetic fields, and weight.
(Rouse, 2005) The Force Table is a simple
tool for demonstrating Newton’s First Law
and the vector nature of forces. This tool is
based on the principle of “equilibrium”. An
object is said to be in equilibrium when there
is no net force acting on it. An object with no
net force acting on it has no acceleration. By
using simple weights, pulleys and strings
placed around a circular table, several forces
can be applied to an object located in the
center of the table in such a way that the
forces exactly cancel each other, leaving the
object in equilibrium. (physics.edu, 2013)
If several forces with different magnitudes
and directions act at a point its net effect can
be represented by a single resultant force.
This resultant force can be found using a
special addition process known as vector
addition. (Riddles, 2012) Another method of
adding vectors is by component method. It is
the process of adding vectors by breaking
each vector down into its x and y
components. Using the graphical method,
forces were represented as line segments
connected tip-to-tail to easily visualize and
find the resultant for the case of two or three
forces. The laboratory activity involves the
process of the addition of several vectors to
form resultant vector by utilizing various
methods. The purpose of the activity was to
gain better understanding of vector
quantities.
Methodology
The necessary materials and equipment
were gathered in preparation for the activity.
The force table was set up with strings and
suspended weights.
First, using the triangle method of vector
addition, a vector diagram was drawn to
scale. The magnitude and direction of the
resultant were measured and recorded in
the data table.
Then, the magnitude of the resultant force
was computed. The angle of orientation from
the relationship tan θ= F2/F1 was also
computed. The results were recorded in the
data table.
Next, on the force table, pulleys were
clamped at 30 degrees and 120 degrees
and enough weights were added to total
0.200kg. Using a third pulley and weights,
the magnitude and direction of the
equilibrant force were determined. The
magnitude and direction of the resultant of
the forces were recorded in the data table.
After, the mentioned steps were repeated for
F1=(0. 200g) N at 20 degrees, F2=(0. 150g)
N at 80 degree's and F1=Fx=(0. 200g) N at 0
degrees, F2=Fy=(0. 150g) at 90 degrees.
After that, given a force vector of F=(0.300)
g N at 60 degrees, a vector diagram was
drawn to scale with the component vectors
and the magnitudes of Fx and Fy were
measured and recorded in the data table.
Using analytical vector addition, the
magnitudes of Fx and Fy were computed
and recorded in the data table. Using 69.28 g 69.28 g 105 g N,
experimental vector addition, pulleys were N, 90° N, 90° 90°
clamped at 240 degrees, 90 degrees, and 0
degrees on the force table; a total of 0.300kg F1:
60 g N, 44gN, 43.67g 45gN, 97
was placed on the 240 degree pulley string
30° + 96 N,
using a weight hanger; weights were added
0x 96.06
to the 0 degree and 90 degree hangers until
the system was in equilibrium; and these F2:
magnitudes were recorded on the data table. 70 g N,
IV 90° +
Finally, given the force vectors F1=(0. 100) g 0x
N at 30 degrees, F2=(0. 200)g N at 90
degrees, and F3=(0. 30)g N at 225 degrees; F3:
the magnitude and direction of their resultant 80 g N,
force were found using the polygon method, 225° +
the component method, and the force table. 0x
The results were recorded in the data table.
Table 2. Percentage Error and Percentage
Difference
Results and Discussion

Table 1. Data and Observations of Resultant Percentage Error: Percentage Difference:

Vectors in each method Analytical - Graphical Analytical -
Methods Experimental Methods
Force Resultant R
(F) (magnitude & direction) 0.52 0.544
Graphic Analytic Experiment 0.81 2.62
F1: 0.53 0.544
70 g N, 95 g N, 95.5 g 95 g N, 75° FA: 6.62 FA: 51.50
30° + 72.88° N, FB: 0 FB: 0.50
0x 72.88° 5.18 3.05
I

F2 :
65 g N,
120° + |experimental value−accepted value|
( 100 ) %
0x accepted value
F1: .
70 g N, 112 g 116.94 120 g N,
20° + N, g N, 46°
0x 48.78° 48.78°
II
F2:
65 g N,
80° +
0x
Fx: F1:
70 g N, 95 g N, 95.5 g 95 g N, 45°
0° + 0x 42.88° N,
III Figure 1. Experimental Resultant (Vector I)
42.88°
Fy: F2:
65 g N,
90° + 0x

Fx: Fx:
F: 40g N, 40g N, Fx :
res
80 g N, 0° 0° 60 g N, 0°
olut
ion 60° +
0x Fy: Fy: Fy :

Figure 2. Experimental Resultant (Vector II)
Figure 3. Experimental Resultant (Vector III)
Figure 4. Experimental Resultant
(Resolution)
Figure 5. Experimental Resultant (Vector V)
In the activity proper, a yield of the resultant
vector was were allocated in three different
ways, namely: graphical, analytical, and
experimental. Findings exhibited by the
three differentiating methods reveal that a
yield of quite similar results were exhibited
by all three, albeit the terms and methods
that were undertaken varied, rendering the
former to not be quite precisely similar in
nature. The graphical method yielded
resultant vector that were determined by
means of a physical measurement tool
wherein such tool (ruler) was used to
acquire a visual of how the vectors would
appear in order to achieve equilibrium. The
analytical method, on the other hand,
achieved the yields of the resultant vectors
by means of inclination towards the
mathematical concepts and calculations.
The utilization of such enabled a precise
yield of the expected actual resultant as it
relies of figures which are relatively reliable
as it is an established concept. Lastly, the
experimental method featured the use of the
force table, an apparatus meant to simulate
vector quantities and equilibrium posed by
such as the former.
Resultant vectors obtained from all three
methods may seem significantly precise as it
posed relatively similar yields, but still, such
methods utilized evidently exhibited that a
higher precision is more observable in one
method compared to another. Among the
three methods, the most precisely yielding
method in the determination of resultant
vectors would be the analytical method
(Urone & Hinrichs, 2019). The graphical
method’s reliance on the accuracy of the
instruments used such as protractor and
ruler and the precision with which the
drawing is made caused it to become
inaccurate to some degree as the usage of
instruments such as the former may yield
findings that could be altered depending on
user or material error. Although such errors
may be miniscule in nature, these yields
would be inconsistent and inherently
imprecise in nature. The same argument for
the experimental method could be posed. It
is for the reason such that the resultant
vectors of the method aforementioned may
only yield results that are based on
approximation. Another is the central
alignment of the string utilized that contains
the pulleys may not be in within a perfect
central alignment and may vary in
accordance to optical perceptions thereby
indicating a greater reliance on perspective
and some forms of alteration by means of
estimation of the yields of resultant vectors.
The reason for why the analytical method
would be deemed as the most precise would
be due to its reliance on mathematical
concepts and figures. The computations
undertaken are more precise and accurate
as it utilizes logic and a calculated means of
obtaining the resultant vector, of which is
necessary in the acquisition of a precise
finding. Measurement error among the two
would also be evident in the percentage
error between analytical and experimental
methods and the percentage difference
between analytical and graphical.
 ersthe-most-universal-language-of-
Conclusion search-51180

Vectors can be added with the use of vector Augustyn, A. (2018, August 22). vector |
addition. The sum or the result yielded within Definition, Physics, & Facts.
two or more vectors is called as the resultant Retrieved from
vector. The resultant vector can be solved in https://www.britannica.com/science/
a variety of ways. The simplest method to vector-physics
solve for the resultant vector is by using the
graphical method. The researchers conclude Hord, F., & Patel, R. (2013). Force Table
that the graphical method is simpler LabPHYS201L (015). Retrieved 18
compared to the analytical method since it July 2019, from
involves drawing the vectors and measuring https://www.coursehero.com/file/106
it through the use of a ruler and a protractor. 41063/Force-Table-Lab-Report/
The researchers also concluded that using
the graphical method is simple yet risky Physics.edu (2013). The Force Table.
since the measurements rely on how Retrieved from
accurately and how precisely it was http://www.physics.smu.edu/~ryszar
measured. The next method is the analytical d/1313fa97/1313-Force_t_.PDF
method. The Analytical method involves the
use of trigonometric functions and the Rouse, M. (2005, September). What is
Pythagorean Theorem. Vectors are treated vector? - Definition from
as sides of a triangle so that the resultant WhatIs.com. Retrieved from
vector can be identified. Therefore, the https://whatis.techtarget.com/definiti
analytical method is more accurate than the on/vector
use of graphical method since the angles,
resultant vectors, and the x, y components
Riddle, A. (2012). Force Table Lab - Abi
are calculated. Analytical method requires
Riddle's Physics Lab. Retrieved
careful computations since one
from
miscalculation can affect the value of the
https://sites.google.com/site/abiriddl
resultant vectors and angles. The last
esphysicslab/force-table-lab
method is the experimental method. This
method requires the use of a force table to
find the resultant vector. This also requires
the use of pulleys and weights to get the net The Language of Physics: Physical
force of all the vectors. By examining the Quantities and Units. (n.d.).
equilibrant or the force that is in an Retrieved June 15, 2019, from
equilibrium state by balancing the other https://www.texasgateway.org/resou
forces to the center, the resultant vector can rce/13-language-physics-physical-
be determined. quantities-and-units

In this regard, it is empirical that the

researchers conclude that the experimental
method takes on a very practical approach
since it simply uses trial and error in getting
the resultant vector.

References

Atkins-Kruger, A. (2010, September 21).

Numbers: The Most Universal
Language of Search. Retrieved from
https://searchengineland.com/numb