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PHYSICS PROJECT
TOPIC:
PARALLELOGRAM LAW OF VECTOR

- NAME
Varun Singh
- CLASS & SEC
11-B

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BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE

ABSTRACT

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What does the Parallelogram Law of Vectors state?

If two vectors acting simultaneously at a point can be

represented both in magnitude and direction by the adjacent sides of a parallelogram
drawn from a point, then the resultant vector is represented both in magnitude and
direction by the diagonal of the parallelogram passing through that point.

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INDEX

• Introduction
• Experiment
• Aim
• Materials required
• Formula
• Procedure
• Diagram
• Observation
• Calculations
• Result
• Precautions
• Sources of error
• Conclusion
• Bibliography

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INTRODUCTION

In this experiment, we will study the properties of the laws of vector addition, one of
it being the parallelogram law of vector. It is studied using the Gravesand’s apparatus
and hence finding the weight of unknown body.

It is an apparatus used for demonstrating laws of vector summation.

There are two pulleys with certain masses attached and there is another mass hung on
the string. The idea is that at equilibrium, the vector sum of the forces (weights)
experienced by the two masses on the pulley is equal to the force (weight)
experienced by the mass in the middle.

EXPERIMENT

Aim:

To find the weight of the given body using parallelogram law of vectors.

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Apparatus required:

• Parallelogram law of forces apparatus (Gravesand’s apparatus)

• plumb line
• slotted weights
• Spring balance
• a body (a wooden block) whose weight is to be determined
• thin strong or thread
• white drawing paper sheet
• drawing pins
• mirror strip
• sharp pencil
• metre scale
• set squares

Formula:

If the two unknown weights P and Q are suspended through the two pulleys and the
unknown weight R is suspended from the middle hanger,then:

and

Were,

R is the unknown weight and

P and Q are the balance weights.

The unknown weight R can be calculated using this formula.

Procedure:

Setting up the apparatus:

✓ Check the pulleys and fix them gently. Ensure that the pulleys are moving
smoothly.

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✓ Set up the Gravesand’s apparatus in vertical position. Use a plumb line for this
purpose.
✓ Fix a white sheet of paper on the wooden board with the help of drawing pins.
✓ The two hangers are tied at the ends of thread. The thread should be long
enough.
✓ Another tread at the middle of the first thread is tied (at O). Suspend an
unknown weights P and Q on the two ends of the longer thread. The longer
thread should pass over the pulleys.
✓ Weights P and Q should be suspended in a way that the knot O remains in
equilibrium.
✓ Ensure that neither the weights nor the threads touch the board or the table.

Taking Impressions of three forces on paper:

✓ Mark the position of knot O on the white paper by a sharp pencil.

✓ Slightly disturb the slotted weights P and Q and leave them. Note the position
of O. It should be closer to the earlier position. If that is not the case, then the
pulleys are not frictionless and need further lubrication.
✓ Hold the mirror strip lengthwise under each thread. Mark the position of the
ends of the images of the threads formed in the mirror.
✓ Now, cover the image by the thread. This is necessary in order to remove
parallax error.
✓ Remove the hangers and note the weight of each hanger and slotted weights
with the help of spring balance.

Drawing the parallelogram:

✓ Remove the sheet of paper from the wooden board.

✓ With the help of a metre scale, draw the lines OT1, OT2 and OR. Mark the
pints P1, P1’, P2 and P2’.
✓ Draw a parallelogram with sides OA and OB in the ratio of known weights
attached to pulley.
✓ Draw the diagonal OC and measure it.
✓ After joining the line OC, get the resultant R of all three forces.

Measurement of weight:

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✓ Take a suitable scale, let 1cm=50 g, so if P=50 g, then length OA=3cm and
Q=150g, so length OB=3cm.
✓ Complete the parallelogram OACB using set squares and join diagonal OC.
OC represents resultant vector R.
✓ Measure diagonal OC. Let OC=3cm, then unknown weight=3 * 50=150 g.
✓ Similarly, repeat the same procedure by changing weights P and Q suitably.
✓ Find correct weight of the given body by spring balance.

Diagram:

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Observations:

Least count of spring balance = …… g

Zero error of spring balance = …….. g
Weight of each hanger =…….. g
Weight of unknown body by spring balance = …….g
Scale used: Let 1 cm = 50 g

Sl. Forces Sides (cm) Resultant Unknown Weight by Error

no (g. wt) force R weight S (g spring (g wt)
(g wt) wt) balance (g
P Q OA OB OC wt)

1.

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2.

3.

Calculations:

When OC = …cm, then R = …..

Unknown weight, W =…….
Mean weight, W=……
Weight by spring balance, W’ = …..
Percentage error =

Result:

The unknown weight of given body = ……. g

The error is within limits of experimental error.
Precautions:

1.The board should be stable and vertical.

2. The pulleys should be friction less.

3.The hangers should not touch the board or table.

4. Junction O should be in the middle of the paper sheet.

5. Points should be marked only when weights are at rest.

6. Points should be marked with sharp pencil.

7. Arrows should be marked to show direction of forces.

8. A proper scale should be taken to make fairly big parallelogram.

Sources of error:

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1. Pulleys may have friction.

2. Weights may not be accurate.
3. Points may not be marked correctly.
4. Weight measured by spring balance may not be much accurate

Conclusion:
The weight of the unknown body has been found using parallelogram law of vector
and the result has been recorded.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

➢ Class 11 NCERT textbook

➢ Wikipedia
➢ Class 11 lab manual

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