Lab Report 4 - Force Table Lab Date: 2/10/2016 Report Date:...

Force Table
Lab Date: 2/10/2016
Report Date: 2/17/2016
Stephanie Iori
PHY 2048L – 013
Casey Curley

Purpose:
The purpose of this experiment was to allow for the familiarization of using a force table in order
to determine vectors. This was considered our experimental findings which was determined by trying to
find the resultant vector ( R ) of the given vectors and their associated angles. We were also given the
opportunity to learn how to graphically draw vectors on graph paper by using a protractor in order to get
the appropriate lengths and angles. Lastly, we were able to mathematically/analytically calculate a set of
vectors by using a myriad of equations that will be discussed in the next section.
Theory underlying the experiment:
A scalar quantity can be specified by its magnitude alone such as time (t), mass (m), volume (v),
and so on and so forth. A vector quantity is specified by both its magnitude and direction such as force
(F), velocity (V), acceleration of gravity (g) and so on and so forth.
Force as a vector is typically denoted with an arrow across the top of the F, but for the purpose
of this lab report, it will be most often written in bold. F is equal to |F| which is its magnitude. When
expressing graphically, the direction of the arrow will give the direction of the force and the length of the
line will be proportional to the forces magnitude. The component of F is,
⃗
F =
⃗
F
x
+
⃗
F
y
= F
x
^ x + F
y
^ y
where
^ x
and
^ y
are unit vectors (direction vectors) which are used to indicate the direction of the
x and y axes. A unit vector is typically a vector of length 1 (ex:
|
^ x
|
=
|
^ y
|
≡ 1
). The two components of F
include:
F
x
= F cos θ ,F
y
= F sin θ
. The magnitude of F is
F =
√
F
x
2
+ F
y
2
and the direction can be
tan θ =
F
y
F
x
or
θ = tan
− 1
(
F
y
F
x
)
. As long as the magnitude and direction are kept constant, a vector