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8

Vector addition

The purpose of the lab is to test experimentally whether forces add according to the rules
for vector addition, and to gain experience with vector arithmetic.
The apparatus consists of a force table (seen here from above) and weight sets, strings, and
up to four pulley-clamps.

We can check whether forces add as vectors by applying several forces to a particle and
measuring the sum of those forces. In this experiment, we shall determine the sum of two
or three forces by measuring the one force that will balance their sum. In other words, we
will not measure the sum of the forces directly, but rather the additive inverse of the sum.
Formulas used in the experiment are the usual vector manipulation rules specialized to two
dimensional vectors; if
~ = (Ax , Ay ),
A
then

and

~ = (Bx , By )
B

~ +B
~ = (Ax + Bx , Ay + By )
A

together with the rules for resolution into components


~ cos A ,
Ax = |A|

~ sin A ,
Ay = |A|
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and
~ =
|A|

8.1

A2x + A2y ,

tan A =

Ay
,
Ax

cos A = q

Ax
A2x

+ A2y

Experimental procedure

Forces are applied to a small metal ring by means of weights attached to strings which pass
~ i in the string suspending a mass m is | W
~ i | = mi g,
over pulleys . The tension W
The forces exerted on the ring are thus the weights of the masses hanging on the strings.
Do not forget to include the mass of the hanger.

8.1.1

Part I.

~ = W
~ 200g = (0.2 kg) (9.8 m2 ) and
In the first part of the experiment, apply two forces A
s
~ =W
~ 300g = (0.3 kg) (9.8 m2 ) to the ring at directions of 0 and 90 degrees respectively, as
B
s
in the figure.

Notice that in this figure Fx = |F~ | cos < 0, and Fy = |F~ | sin < 0 since F~ points left and
down. Pay attention to how is measured; counter-clockwise from the positive
x-axis.
Using the rules for adding vectors, calculate the vector sum F~ (magnitude and direction)
or resultant of these two forces and check your prediction by applying a force of the same
magnitude as your predicted sum, but pointing in the opposite direction. This should cancel
the original two forces.

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8.1.2

Part II

~ and B
~ the same, but change the direction of one
Keep the magnitudes of the two forces A
of them, according to the figure below.

For this part of the experiment, determine the third balancing force F~ by trial and error.
~ and B
~ and the true vector sum, and
Once again compute the components of the forces A
compare the sum to the balancing force.

8.1.3

Part III

~ B,
~ C
~ =W
~ 400g = (0.4 kg) (9.8 m2 ) to the ring and determine the
Now apply three forces A,
s
sum experimentally by using a fourth force F~ to cancel the sum.

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~ B
~ and C
~ and the true vector sum,
Once again compute the components of the forces A,
and compare the sum to the balancing force.

8.2

Summary of vector formulas and definitions


|~v | =

vx2 + vy2 ,

the modulus or magnitude

Inter-conversion of magnitude and direction with components;


vx = |~v | cos ,

vy = |~v | sin ,

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tan =

vy
vx

These formulas are contingent on the angle being defined as in the figure. If it is defined
in another way, change the formulas accordingly.
If ~a = ~b + ~c, then
ax = b x + c x ,

8.3

ay = by + cy ,

|~a| =

(bx + cx )2 + (by + cy )2

Pre-lab questions

1. What are the magnitudes of the largest and smallest vectors that can be constructed by
vectorially adding three vectors of magnitudes 3, 4, and 5 units? In each case draw a figure.
~ = 3.0i 4.0j, and B
~ = 5.0i + 5.0j be two vectors in the plane.
2. Let A
~
~
a. Find |A + B|.
~ and B.
~
b. Compute the angle between A
~ B.
~
c. Compute all components of A
~ B.
~
d. Compute A
~ B
~ and C
~ are illustrated below.
3. Three vectors A,

4.5
4

3.5

y (m)

2.5
0

1.5
1
0.5

0.5

1.5

2.5

x (m)

~
a. Find |A|.
~ makes with the x-axis.
b. Find the angle B
~ such that A
~+B
~ C
~ +D
~ = 0.
c. Find a vector D

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3.5

4.5

8.4

Lab report

The following pages constitute the lab report to be filled out and handed in at the end of
the lab session. Use the web-interface if it is available.

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Vector addition
Experimenter 1

Experimenter 2

Experimenter 3

Experimenter 4

Table 1: Actual weights and theoretical components of F~


~ 200g |(N )
|W

~ 300g |(N )
|W

~ 400g |(N )
|W

Figure 1

Figure 2

Fx (N )

Fy (N )

Figure 3

Table 2: Data Comparison


|F~theory |(N )

theory (rad)

|F~exp |(N )

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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exp (rad)

% error in |F |

% error in

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