TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

GENERAL PHYSICS 1
1st SEMESTER, SY 2020-2021

Group Members: Section:

1. Bihasa, Vincent Rafael 4. Estrella, John Alfred
2. De Guzman, Mark Joseph 5. Hitosis, Nerissa Fe
3. Delos Santos, Nathaniel

Vector Addition Simulation

Performance Task 4.1
I. Objectives
At the end of this activity, the students will be able to:
1. Calculate directions and magnitudes of vectors;

2. Apply the learning on how to solve the resultant vector using analytic method; and

3. Perform addition of vectors using analytical methods – Component Method.

II. Materials
 Vector Addition PhET simulation: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/vector-addition
 Pen, calculator and scratch papers (for solution)
III. Procedures
Carefully follow the procedures:
1. Click the link given above or copy and paste it to any
browser, it will direct you to the website of our virtual
lab.
2. It will lead you to the page shown in the picture at the
right and click the LAB tab.
3. You will see the main interface of the simulation. Spend a few minutes to understand/
explore the functionalities of the different tabs/panels.

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4. Check the box for Values, Angle and Gridlines.

5. Drag one blue vector and place its tail on the origin. Set the vector’s magnitude and
direction however you like by dragging the head of the vector in the simulation. This
will be vector 1.
6. Drag another blue vector and place its tail on the head of Vector 1. Again, set the
vector’s magnitude and direction however you like by dragging the head of the vector
in the simulation. Do it again for the third time. The two new vectors shall be named
vector 2 and vector 3.

7. Check the box for Sum to produce the resultant vector. Drag its tail on the origin.
The head of the resultant vector should touch the head of Vector 3.

8. Click on any component view to see the breakdown of the vectors into their horizontal
and vertical components. You can also see the details of each vector on the upper
pane of the simulation.

9. Input the data in the simulation in Table 1 below.

10. Take screenshots of your work as required in the set-up.

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 11. Using your learning in addition of vectors, solve your system of vectors using
Component Method. Round off your answers to two decimal places. Input your
solved value in Table 2 below.
12. Take a photo of your computations and attach/paste it to your work.
13. Compare the results of the simulation data versus the analytical computation.
14. Proceed to guide questions and conclusion.

IV. Set - up
A. Screenshot of Vector 1

B. Screenshot of Vectors 1 and 2

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C. Screenshot of Vectors 1, 2, and 3

D. Screenshot of Vectors 1, 2, 3, and Resultant (without components)

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E. Screenshot of Vectors 1, 2, 3, and Resultant (with components)

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F. Clear picture of your computations for ∑𝑉𝑥

G. Clear picture of your computations for ∑𝑉𝑦

H. Clear picture of your computations for 𝑉𝑅

I. Clear picture of your computations for θ

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 J. Picture of your entire solution paper

V. Data
A. Experimental Method (PhET Simulations)
Vectors Magnitude Direction X-Component Y-Component
Vector 1 20 0°, E 20 0
Vector 2 14.1 45°, NE 10 10
Vector 3 12.2 125°, NW -7 10
RESULTANT 30.5 41°, NE 23 20

B. Analytical Method (Manual Solutions)

∑Vx ∑Vy Magnitude VR Direction θ
∑Ry
Example: Ax=AcosθA Example: Ay=AsinθA 𝑅 = √∑Rx 2 + ∑Ry 2 𝜃 = tan−1
∑Rx
V1x= 20 V1y= 0
V2x= 9.97 V2y= 9.97
VR= 30.43 Θ= 40.99°
V3x= -7 V3y= 9.99
∑Vx= 22.97 ∑Vy= 19.96
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VI. Guide Questions
1. Based on the data, how can you compare the results of the experimental and the analytical
methods?
The outcome obtained from both the analytical and experimental methods are almost the
same. However, using the analytical method, it is certain that the results are more accurate
and exact than the experimental method. Apart from that, the outcome from the experimental
method seems to be the round off version of the outcome from the analytical method.

2. In your opinion, does the simulation help you imagine the addition of vectors visually? How?
In our opinion, the simulation helps us to imagine the addition of vectors visually. With the
help of the app PhET, we can clearly see the values and easily plot the vectors; we were able
to add up the vectors and solve for the answers. The simulation also helped us to know if our
answers in the analytical method are correct by applying the percentage error.

VII. Conclusion
To summarize, this simulation activity was able to clarify how to calculate the
magnitude and the direction of multiple vectors using one of the analytical methods, which is
the component method; it helped us to apply our understanding about solving for the resultant
vector by performing the addition of vectors using analytical methods.

Our group was able to answer the given task, which is to calculate the direction and
magnitude of a vector with the help of the provided simulator. Comparing the answers of the
experimental and analytical methods, we realized that the latter is more accurate than the
outcome in the experimental method; this proves that we can solve for the accurate
measurement of magnitude and direction of a vector using the analytical methods.

As a result, we were able to engage and experience the use of the PhET Simulator
with this activity. As concluded by our group, this simulator is a powerful, convenient, and
efficient tool that was brought to us by our society widespread technological innovators;
simulators like this will be able to show real-life situations and make activities more engaging
that will help enhance one's knowledge.

Honor Pledge
We affirm that we have not given or received any unauthorized help on this Group Activity and that this work is
ours. We accept responsibility for our role in ensuring the integrity of the work submitted by our group.