EXPERIMENT 101: RESOLUTION OF FORCES

Name:

Cruz, Harriette Linelle M.

Program/Year
:
Subject/Secti
on:

EnSE-1

Group
No.
Seat No.

PHY-10L A3

Date

2
11
7/25/20
14

DATA and OBSERVATIONS

Actual
Values

TRIAL 1

TRIAL 2

F1

105 g
125 g
105 g
105 g
36
135
225
317

115 g
75 g
125 g
105 g
25
100
190
288

F2
F3
F4
1
2
3
4
TRIAL 1
Actual R
=F4 =
Computed
values

105 g
Polygon
method

Actual =
percent error
(polygon)

Component
method

317
Percentage
error
(component)

R
1

108 g
316

2.86%
3.15 x 10-1%

109 g
315

3.8 x 10-2%
6.3 x 10-3%

EXPERIMENT 101: RESOLUTION OF FORCES

Name:

Cruz, Harriette Linelle M.

Program/Year
:
Subject/Secti
on:

EnSE-1

Group
No.
Seat No.

PHY-10L A3

Date

2
11
7/25/20
14

DATA and OBSERVATIONS

TRIAL 2
Actual R
=F4 =
Computed
values

Actual =

105 g
Polygon
method

percent error
(polygon)

Component
method

288
Percentage
error
(component)

R
1

104 g
288

9.52 x10-1%
0%

105.69 g
287.57

6.6 x 10-1%
1.5 x 10-1%

TRIAL 1 - Component Method

F1
F2
F3
F4

=
=
=
=

105g
125g
105g
105g

x
x
x
x

980cm/s2
980cm/s2
980cm/s2
980cm/s2

=
=
=
=

1.03
1.23
1.03
1.03

x
x
x
x

105gcm/s2
105gcm/s2
105gcm/s2
105gcm/s2

fx = F1x + F2x + F3x

= F1cos1 + F2cos2 + F3cos3
F1cos1 = 1.03 x 105 (cos36) = 8.33 x 104
F2cos2 = 1.23 x 105 (cos135) = -8.70 x 104
F3cos3 = 1.03 x 105 (cos225) = -7.28 x 104
fx = -7.65 x 104
fy = F1y + F2y + F3y
= F1sin1 + F2sin2 + F3sin3
F1sin1 = 1.03 x 105 (sin36) = 6.05 x 104
F2sin2 = 1.23 x 105 (sin135) = 8.70 x 104
F3sin3 = 1.03 x 105 (sin225) = -7.28 x 104
fy = 7.47 x 104
R = . fx2 +
. fyx2 104)2 + (7.47 x
R = (-7.65
104)2
R = 109
tan =

7.47 x 10 4
-7.65 x 104
= 44.3
4 = 360 - 44.3

4 = 315
%error (R) = 105 - 109
x 100%

105

%error (R) = 0.038% = 3.8 x 10-2

%error () = 317 - 315

x 100%

317
%error () = 0.0063% = 6.3 x 10-3
TRIAL 2 - Component Method
fx = F1x + F2x + F3x
= F1cos1 + F2cos2 + F3cos3
= 115cos25 + 75cos100 + 125cos190
= -31.9
fy = F1y + F2y + F3y
= F1sin1 + F2sin2 + F3sin3
= 115sin25 + 75sin100 + 125sin190
= -31.9
R = . fx2 +
. fy22 + (100.76)2
R = (-31.9)
R = 105.69
tan =

100.76k
-31.9
= -72.43
4 = 360 - 72.43
4 = 287.57
%error (R) = 105 - 105.69
x100%

105
%error (R) = 0.66% = 6.6 x 10-1
%error () = 288 - 287.57
x100%

288

%error () = 0.15% = 1.5 x 10-1

TRIAL 1
Polygon Method
Scale 1cm : 10g

TRIAL 2
Polygon Method
Scale 1cm : 10g

Analysis
1. What is the significance of the fourth force F4? How is it related
to the vector sum of the first three forces?
When using the actual method the fourth force F4 serves as
the deciding factor on the equilibrium of forces, also called the
equilibrant force, it is the one we are adjusting in order to achieve
balance on all forces on the force table (the forces are said to be
in equilibrium when the ring is aligned with the black circle on the
center of the force table).
In any method, the vector sum of the first three forces (F 1 +
F2 + F3) is equals to the equilibrant force, which is the fourth force
F4, whereas the resultant force is equal and opposite the
equilibrant force.
2. How do the results of the polygon method compare with the
actual values of F4 and 4? What could be a cause of the
difference in values?
The results of the polygon method compared with the actual
values of F4 and 4 are said to have very little difference due to
some reasons. When using polygon method, inaccuracy of results
is commonly caused by uncertain values when using ruler and
protractor and is based on the perspective of the person.
3. How do the results of the component method compare with the
actual values of F4 and 4? What could be a cause of the
difference in values?
On the results of the component method compared with the
actual values of F4 and 4, the same as that of the difference
compared to polygon method, there is small difference. It is
mainly because of rounding off of numbers in the process of
computing for the resultant values.

Conclusion
1. What does resolution of forces mean? How are the components
of a vector related to the vector?
Resolution force is a single force developed from different
forces with different directions. It is also called the resultant force
for it is simply the vector sum of forces.
According to an English dictionary, the word component
means parts. Now, adding it to the word vector it will be vector
parts thus the relationship between the vectors and components
of a vector is that it is vector parts itself.
2. Which method is more accurate in finding the resultant force: the
polygon method or the component method? Support your
answer.
I daresay the component method is more accurate for even
small values of number is not neglected as that of the polygon
method. One proof of its more accuracy is the result of our
experiment. There is a smaller percent error when the component
method is used than that of the polygon method.
3. Give at least two sources of errors. Explain how each caused
error.
All throughout the experiment, the sources of errors are
uncertain values when using polygon method for it increases the
chances of having greater percent error. In component method is
the rounding off of numbers during the computation or the wrong
application of significant figures. It is the reason why we have
different results in computing for the equilibrant force, because
we are mostly confused when to apply significant figures.
4. What recommendations can you give to improve the results of
this experiment? Give at least two.

For the future students who will do this experiment, I

recommend you to choose angles without decimal places for the
first three forces, in that way there will lesser source of error for
the resultant value. Another is in the application of significant
figures for one mistake in using significant figure could affect the
resultant value thus increasing the percent error.

Research and Application

Consider the use of SOH CAH TOA to determine the components
of force acting upon Fido. Assume that the chain is exerting a 60 N
force upon Fido at an angle of 40 degrees above the horizontal. A quick
sketch of the situation reveals that to determine the vertical
component of force, the sine function can be used and to determine
the horizontal component of force, the cosine function can be used.
The solution to this problem is shown below.

As another example of the use of SOH CAH TOA to resolve a

single vector into its two components, consider the diagram at the
right. A 400-N force is exerted at a 60-degree angle (a direction of 300
degrees) to move a railroad car eastward along a railroad track. A top
view of the situation is depicted in the diagram. The force applied to
the car has both a vertical (southward) and a horizontal component
(eastward). To determine the magnitudes of these two components,
the sine and cosine function will have to be used. The task is made
clearer by beginning with a diagram of the situation with a labeled

angle and a labeled hypotenuse. Once a

triangle is constructed, it becomes obvious
that the sine function will have to be used
determine the vertical (southward)
component and the cosine function will
have to be used to determine the horizontal
(eastward) component. The triangle and
accompanying work is shown below.

to

Anytime a force vector is directed at an angle to the horizontal,

the trigonometric functions can be used to determine the components
of that force vector.
One important application of this
principle is in the recreational sport of sail
boating. Sailboats encounter a force of wind
resistance due to the impact of the moving
air molecules against the sail. This force of wind
resistance is directed perpendicular to the face
of
the sail, and as such is often directed at an angle to the direction of the
sailboat's motion. The actual direction of this force is dependent upon
the orientation of the sail. To determine the influence of the wind
resistance force in the direction of motion, that force will have to be
resolved into two components - one in the direction that the sailboat is
moving and the other in a direction perpendicular to the sailboat's
motion. See diagram at right. In the diagram below, three different sail
orientations are shown. Assuming that the wind resistance force is the
same in each case, which case would produce the greatest influence in
the direction of the sailboat's motion? That is, which case has the
greatest component of force in the direction parallel to the boats'
heading?

Answer: Case C will provide the greatest force of propulsion. In Case C,

the component of the wind resistance force parallel to the direction of
the boat's motion is greatest. The diagrams depict the two components
of force; and clearly the parallel component of force is longest (i.e.,
greatest magnitude) in Case C.
Many people believe that a sailboat cannot travel
"upwind." It is their perception that if the wind blows
from north to south, then there is no possible way for
a sailboat to travel from south to north. This is simply
not true. Sailboats can travel "upwind" and commonly
do so by a method known as "tacking into the wind."
It is true to say that a sailboat can never travel
upwind by heading its boat directly into the wind. As
seen in the diagram at the right, if the boat heads
directly into the wind, then the wind force is directed
due opposite its heading. In such a case, there is no
component of force in the direction that the sailboat
is heading. That is, there is no "propelling force." On the other hand, if
the boat heads at an angle into the wind, then the wind force can be
resolved into two components. In the two orientations of the sailboat
shown below, the component of force in the direction parallel to the
sailboat's heading will propel the boat at an angle into the wind. When
tacking into the wind, a sailboat will typically travel at 45-degree
angles, tacking back and forth into the wind.

Source: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/vectors/U3L3b.cfm