Physics

Investigatory project

PARALLELOGRAM LAW OF VECTOR

SUBMITTED BY: S. SHINE ROSELINE

CLASS: XI

SECTION: A

SCHOOL: ANNAI VIOLET INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

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

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

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:

Where,
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.
✓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 points 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:
✓ 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:
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. No Forces Sides Resultant force R Unknown weight S Weight by spring balance Error
(g wt) (cm) (g wt) (g wt) (g wt) (g wt)

P Q OA OB OC

1.

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:

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