Vectors

Alvarez, Russelle
Balenia, Ezekiel
Casabuena, Rica
Cuballes, Sam
Dela Pena, Kenneth
Fabian, Jimuel

De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
Dasmariñas, Cavite Philippines

ABSTRACT
The force is a vector quantity that is represented in diagrams as arrow that point to the
direction where it is headed and the length of which corresponds to the magnitude. Since
more than one force may act upon an object, the effects must be accounted by
combining these forces. The outcome is a resultant force. There are three ways to
determine the resultant force, the most precise is the analytical method which utilizes
geometry and trigonometry. Another approach is through graphical method which uses a
force to length ratio to draw the vectors and the third approach is the force table method
which employs a set of weights for the application of forces, a spring balance for the
determination of the magnitude and direction of the equilibrant, and a table for the angles
of the force vectors. The computed resultant force using the analytical method was
assumed as a reference value since it is the most precise approach. After determining
the resultant force using the force table and the graphical method, their percent error with
respect to the assumed reference value was calculated. For the force table method, the
percent error for the magnitude and angle of the direction of the resultant force are 2.5%
and 3.3% respectively. While for the graphical method, the percent error for the
magnitude and angle of the direction of the resultant force are 1.36% and 0.525%
respectively. This indicates that both the graphical and force table method are reliable
approach in the determination of the resultant force.

INTRODUCTION
Vectors are used to describe anything that has both a direction and a magnitude. They are
represented in diagrams as arrow that points to the direction where it is headed and the length of which
corresponds to the magnitude. Force, for instance, is a vector quantity because to fully describe the force
acting upon an object, both the magnitude and the direction must be stated. More than one vector may be
present and combining these vectors leads to a “resultant vector” (1). Moreover, when a resultant vector
is rotated 180º about its tail, an “equilibrant”, which has the same magnitude but with opposite direction, is
produced. For a set of force vectors, there are different ways to compute its resultant force. The most
precise way is through analytical method which employs geometry and trigonometry. Another approach is
through graphical method which uses a force to length ratio to draw the vectors. Lastly, the force table
method is another approach to determine the resultant force. It uses a set of weights for the application of
forces, spring balance for the determination of the magnitude and direction of the equilibrant, and a round
table for the direction of the force vectors. Since the analytical method is the most precise out of the three
methods, the computed value for the magnitude and direction of the resultant force may be assumed as
the reference value. Therefore, the resultant force determined using graphical and force table method
must be close to the assumed reference value.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For the force table method, a set of pulleys was clamped at the specified angle and then the
specified masses were placed on their respective weight hangers. All of the strings were connected to a
ring which was put inside the pole at the center of the force table. Afterwards, a spring balance was
pulled such that the ring was centered around the pole. The applied force and the direction were
recorded.
For the analytical method, each vector was broken to its x and y component. Values within the
same component were combined. The results were the x and y component of the resultant vector. Using
Pythagorean formula, the hypotenuse was computed. Subsequently, the angle was calculated using
inverse tangent and the direction was determined by looking at the sign of the x and y component of the
resultant vector.
For the graphical method, the scale of 1N:2cm was used. A small cross was drawn to denote the
origin and then based on the specified magnitude and angle of the first vector, a corresponding arrow was
drawn. At the head of the first vector, another small cross was drawn and the second vector was drawn
from the head. The same was done with the third vector. Afterwards, the head of the last vector was
connected to the tail of the first vector. This is the resultant vector.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Vector X-Component (N) Y-Component (N)

F1 1.554 0.7248
F2 -1.061 0.6125
F3 -3.638 -3.638
Total -3.145 -2.301

Table 1. Analytical Method

√
Using the equation R= (−3.145)2+(−2.301)2 , the magnitude of the resultant force was
−1 −2.301 N
determined to be 3.897 N while the angle was calculated using the equation ∅=tan and the
−3.145 N
direction was in the third quadrant since both the x and y component of the resultant force were negative.
The complete resultant force, which may be assumed as the reference value for the other method, is
3.897 N at 36.19 º south of west.
Using the force table method, the determined resultant force was 3.8 N at 35 º south of west while
the computed resultant force using the graphical method was 3.95 N at 36º south of west. For comparison
purpose, the percent error may be used to calculate the distance of the determined resultant force from
the assumed reference value.
For the force table method, the percent error for the magnitude and angle of the direction of the
resultant force are 2.5% and 3.3% respectively. While for the graphical method, the percent error for the
magnitude and angle of the direction of the resultant force are 1.36% and 0.525% respectively. This
shows that both the graphical and force table method are reliable approach in determining the resultant
force. In addition, the graphical method appears to be more accurate than the force table method. This is
perhaps due to the relatively complex set-up of the approach which made it more susceptible to human
errors.
The main source of error in the force table method was in the placement of strings and also, the
application of force through the pulley is vulnerable to miscalculations. While for the graphical method, the
main source of error is parallax. If precision and conciseness are needed, the analytical method must be
used but if visualization is needed, the force table and the graphical method are both ideal approach in
determining the resultant force.

References

(1) OpenStaxCollege. (n.d.). Vector Addition and Subtraction: Analytical Methods. Retrieved from
College Physics: https://opentextbc.ca/physicstestbook2/chapter/vector-addition-and-subtraction-
analytical-methods/