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Formal Lab Report 6
Formal Lab Report 6
Formal Lab Report 6
<-9.4, 215.5>
To calculate the second resultant (Part D):
A <90.6, 42.3>
B + <-100, 173.2>
C + <-141, -51.3>
<-150.4, 164.2>
To find the position angle for R1 and R2, first notice which quadrant each vector is in.
is in quadrant 2. We know
this because the x-component is negative and the y-component is positive. We can also see that
is also in the
second quadrant.
To find their position angles, we must first find their reference angles by taking the tangent of the absolute value
of the vector's x- and y-components.
To find the position angle we subtract the reference angle from 180. This is because both of our resultants are in
the 2
nd
quadrant, so the reference angle is how far each vector is from the negative x-axis.
To find our equilibrants and their position angles, we just flipped our resultants in the opposite direction.
<-9.4, 215.5>
<9.4, -215.5>
<-150.4, 164.2>
<150.4, -164.2>
Results:
Upon further observation, I realized the scaled magnitudes of my vectors may have been slightly off, so calculating
the magnitude of each Equilibrant and Resultant graphically made the magnitude of the Resultant from Part C
seem bigger than the Resultant from Part D.
Conclusion:
This experiment demonstrated the relationship between vectors, their resultants, and their equilibrants.
Weve demonstrated how to put vectors at equilibrium with one another and weve demonstrated how to
mathematically and graphically calculate resultants and equilibrants of known vectors with just their magnitude
and direction.
A set-up involving three different masses on pulleys and an equilibrant all in the same quadrant or in two adjacent
quadrants could never be at equilibrium because the force would be towards one side or the other.
Vectors are at equilibrium when their forces cancel out. There must be just as much force in the negative x
direction as there is in the positive x direction. There must also be just as much force in the negative y direction as
there is in the positive y direction.
When adding the equilibrant to the set of vectors being negated (or the resultant: the vector sum), the result
should
always be 0. A particle that remains at rest is said to be at equilibrium. The vector sum of all forces acting on the
particle must be zero.
Examples:
4. If a garden fence makes right angles at the corners, and there is 25 lb of tension on each section of the wire
What is the pull on the corner post and in what direction is it?
R 25lb
25 lb
R =
= 35.4 lb
' = 45, =135