PHYS 71.

1 - Laboratory Manual

JOMAR L. CAGAANAN
NAME: ___________________________________________________________________ SECTION: ___________
RS-1L
BS ARCHITECTURE - 2
COURSE & YEAR: _______________________________________________________ DATE: _______________
10/10/22

Experiment 2:
Addition of Vectors

Objectives

✓ To calculate the resultant vector.

✓ To illustrate and practice graphical and analytical solutions for the addition of vectors.

Materials and Equipment

• Pencil / pen • graphing paper • ruler

• protractor • calculator

Experimental Procedure

Suppose there are four vectors A = 8.00 cm, South; B = 15.0 cm, 30.0° E◦N; C = 12.0 cm, 25° S◦W; and D =
10.0 cm, 53° W◦N. Using the materials, employ the graphical method (tail-to-tip) to determine the resultant
vector A+B+C+D. Compare your results when using component method. Lastly, calculate for the percent
error. Don’t forget to submit your diagram on a graphing paper together with this laboratory report.

Calculations: (Show your calculations on the space provided. Use extra sheet if necessary)

Vector x-component y-component

A 0 cm 0 cm - 8.0 cm - 8.0 cm

B 7.5 cm 7.5 cm 12.9 cm 13.0 cm

C - 10.8 cm - 10.9 cm - 4.9 cm - 5.1 cm

D - 7.9 cm - 8.0 cm 6.0 cm 6.0 cm

A+B+C+D - 11.2 cm - 11.4 cm 6.0 cm 5.9 cm

Resultant Vector using Resultant Vector using |𝐺𝑀 − 𝐶𝑀|

% 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 × 100
Graphical Method (GM) Component Method (CM) 𝐶𝑀
Note: %Error must be less than 10%
|12.8 cm − 12.8 cm|
12.8 cm 12.8 cm % 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 × 100
12.8 cm
=0

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Questions:
1) Which method will give a more accurate answer? Why?
ANSWER: Based on my experience while solving the experiment is that the component method gives more
precise and accurate answer. Even though that the graphical is more visually pleasing, the component method
for me gives more precise results.

2) What are the advantages and disadvantages of using graphical method and component method?
ANSWER: Both of the methods have disadvantages and advantages. Using the graphical method is for me
because there is a visual representation of the answer or the measurements given while using the component.
In my experience, doing experiment number two will give more precise results or answer. The disadvantage of
using the graphical method is that the results are not precise or the same as others. The disadvantage of
using the component method is that the component method has no visual presentation.

Conclusion.
ANSWER: To sum it up, both methods have advantages and disadvantages. It is up to us what method to
use and how to solve the given problems more accurately and precisely. Nevertheless, honestly, I would use
the two methods. Even though the graphical method is not as precise as the component method, it provides a
visual presentation. It is a plus factor for me to quickly understand the topic and the process.

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