Activity

Concurrent Forces in Equilibrium

Objective
 To be able to graphically, analytically, and experimentally (Optional) determine the resultant of
several coplanar forces acting through a point.

Introduction
Force is a vector quantity. A number of coplanar forces acting at the
same point on a body may be replaced by a single force which will produce the
same effect on the body [1]. This force is known as the resultant of the original
forces. The process of finding the resultant is called the composition of forces.
The single force which will hold a system of concurrent forces in equilibrium is
called the equilibrant of the system. It is a force equal in magnitude to the
resultant, but opposite in direction [1]. To check for the equilibrant of a set of
known concurrent and coplanar forces or to resolve a given known force into it
components, we will use the force table [2].

Materials
Force table, weight hangers, strings, set of slotted masses, triple beam balance

Procedure

PART I
1. Given three sets of masses, 100 g, 120 g, and 200 g, convert the following masses to forces.
2. Using the first two (F1 & F2) of the three forces, determine graphically the resultant (R) and
equilibrant (E) by the use of the parallelogram of forces.
3. For the same two forces used in step 2, compute the magnitude and direction of the resultant
using the component method.
4. Check the results on the force table (Optional):
A. Set up the two given forces and determine experimentally their equilibrant. The weight of the
weight hangers must be included in the forces applied to the strings; and
B. Reduce the effect of friction as much as possible by displacing the central ring slightly in
various directions and observe its return. Unequal tendencies to return to the center after
displacements in opposite directions indicate an unbalance that must be corrected. Compare
the results found in steps 2, 3, and 4.
PART II
5. Use all three given forces (F1 F2 & F3) and construct a vector polygon to determine the resultant
(R).
6. From the three forces of step 5, compute the magnitude and direction of the resultant by the
component method.
7. Set up the three original forces in the force table and determine the equilibrant. Compare the
results of steps 6 (Optional).

References
th
1 Cicero H. Bernard & Chirold D. Epp. Laboratory Experiments in College Physics, 7 Edition. John Wiley
& Sons, Inc.. USA. 1995.
2 Arsenio A. Ronquillo & Bee Ching U. Ong Kian Koc. Laboratory Manual for Physics 211. Goodwill Trading
Co., Inc.. Philippines. 1999.

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