Objective

Our objective is to find the weight of a given body using the Parallelogram Law of Vectors.

Theory

Parallelogram Law of Vectors

If  two vectors acting simultaneously on a particle are represented in

magnitude and direction by the two adjacent sides of a parallelogram
drawn from a point, then their resultant is completely represented in
magnitude and direction by the diagonal of that parallelogram drawn from
that point.

Explanation

Let two vectors P and Q act simultaneously on a particle O at an angle θ . They are represented
in magnitude and direction by the adjacent sides OA and OB of a parallelogram OACB drawn
from a point O.Then the diagonal OC passing through O, will represent the resultant R in
magnitude and direction.

On a Gravesand's apparatus, if the body of unknown weight (say S) is suspended from the
middle hanger and balancing weights P and Q are suspended from othe two hangers then,

                                  

The unknown weight can be calculated from the equation (1).

On a Gravesand's apparatus, if the body of unknown weight (say S) is suspended from the
middle hanger and balancing weights

P and Q are suspended from the other two hangers then,

P and Q are suspended from the other two hangers then,

Now construct a parallelogram OACB by assuming a scale (say 1cm=50 gwt) corresponding to
the weights P and Q. The diagonal of the parallelogram OC will give the resultant vector. The
weight of the unknown body,

If W is the actual weight of the body, then the percentage error in the experiment can be
calculated using the equation,
 Materials Required

 Parallelogram Law of Forces apparatus (Gravesand's apparatus)

 Plumb line
 Two hangers with slotted weights
 A body (a wooden block) whose weight is to
be determined
 Thin strong thread
 White drawing paper sheet
 Drawing pins
 Mirror strip
 Sharp pencil
 Half meter scale
 Set squares
 Protractor 

Observations

To find the weight of the unknown mass using parallelogram law of vectors
Scale. Let  20 g=1 cm
No: Forces Values of Slides Resultant Unknown Weight  by Error
of P (g wt) Q (g wt) θ cosθ OA(cm) OB(cm) OC(cm) force R (g wt) weight S spring balance (g wt)
obs (g wt) (g wt)
1 60 70 98 -0.139 3 3.5 4.4 85.62 88 86.81 1.37
2 70 60 100 -0.173 3.5 3 4.3 83.94 86 84.97 1.21
3 60 60 91 -0.174 3 3 4.3 84.1 86 85.05 1.11
4 80 70 111 -0.358 4 3.5 4.3 85.35 86 85.67 0.38
5 50 50 68 -0.374 2.5 2.5 4.3 82.9 86 84.45 1.83

Calculation

Mean value of unknown weight S = 86.4 gwt.

Mean value of unknown weight, R = 84.4 gwt

Unknown weight = (S+R)/2 = 85.4 gwt

Percentage error = 1.18

Result

The unknown weight of given body = 85.4 gwt .

The result shows the error is within limits of the experiment error. 
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