Results/Conclusions The results of this experiment are presented in Table 1.

All of the
measured forces are within 4 percent difference of the calculated forces, so it can be
concluded that this method of calculating vector addition is accurate. Possible
sources or error include friction and the weight of the string.
Conclusion:
During the course of this lab, we gained familiarity in working with vector quantities.
We demonstrated the process of the addition of several vectors to form a resultant
vector experimentally, graphically, and algebraically. By using all three of these
methods, we were able to see how each method produces a slightly different
resultant force (N) and resultant direction (in degrees). This is apparent in the data
tables. According to our percent error computations, the graphical method is more
accurate than the experimental method. Possible sources of errors include 1) friction
in the pulleys, 2) the fact that we ignored the mass of the strings, and 3) errors in
direction of the forces if the strings were not at 90 degrees tangent to the ring.
Errors in the direction of the forces if the strings were not at 90 degrees tangent to
the ring would have caused the greatest source of error. If the angles were the
slightest bit off on the force table, this would have skewed the weight necessary to
equal the forces. Friction in the pulleys most likely contributed to the error also. It
was neccessary to tug at the pulleys and make sure they were calibrated correctly. If
pulleys were not used, the errors would have gone up because resting on the edge of
the force table would cause greater friction. Also, the pulleys help to hold the strings
in place and the angles of the direction would have been skewed if we had not
utilized the pulleys. Lastly, the weight of the strings would have skewed our data
slightly, but not enough to make a real impact in the percent error.

What do you think your x and y components should have added up to and why?
The x and y components should have a resultant of zero because the net force
between thethree vectors should be zero newton. The forces acting on the ring
should be bothhorizontally and vertically equilibrant. The ring at the center of the
force table would be atequilibrium (or at rest) since there is no force to move the ring
around. This can berepresented by the equation A + B + C = R (in which R is the
resultant vector).
2.Did they add up to it? Where do you think error might have entered into
yourexperiment?
The x and y components did not add up to zero. Possible sources or error within
thisexperiment may have been caused by an unbalanced force table, miscalculations
of theforces added and the angles, and not accounting for the weight of the string

3.This lab was an exercise in vector analysis. Where in everyday life could
anunderstanding of vector analysis be useful? Specifically address about how
thevectors are used and analyzed. (They dont have to be force vectors.)
An understanding of vector analysis can be applied to the motion a plane
experiences whilein flight. For example, a plane traveling northwest from New York to
Canada at 100 m/shas both x and y components. To accurately calculate the planes
displacement anddistance during flight a Global Positioning System (GPS) is normally
used. It graphs the planes displacement for Point A to Point B by visually indicating
the x and y axis. This isvery important because without proper direction and visual
representation a pilot would not be able to arrive at a specific
destination.ConclusionIn this lab, we learned vectors have both direction and
magnitude. Vectors can beused to analyze situations in which forces are displaced.

An understanding of vector analysis can also apply to everyday scenarios such as

commutes to schooling, taking theelevator, and climbing up staircases. We identified
the properties of an object or objects atstatic equilibrium. However, our data for
Cases 2 through 6 indicated that our forces werenot truly equilibrant; hence resulting
in to a vector sum not equal to zero. Possible sourcesor error within this experiment
may have been caused by an unbalanced force table,miscalculations of the forces
added and
the angles, and not accounting for the weight of thestring. This lab was very
effective in demonstrating the principle of Static Equilibrium andresultants of
multiple vectors

Possible sources of errors include 1) friction in the pulleys, 2) the fact that we ignored
the mass of the strings, and 3) errors in direction of the forces if the strings were not
at 90 degrees to the a tangent to the ring. Rank the relative importance of these
errors in your data. I think relative importance of the errors would be in the following
order : 3,1,2. If there was an error in the angles of the strings that would upset the
resultant force reguired to keep the ring stable. The mass of the strings is likely
inconsequential, and the pulleys likely contributed little friction.
If pulleys were not used, would the errors have gone up? Why? Errors would increase
as there would be more friction without the pulleys as the strings would catch on the
end of the force table; results would be skewed.

Conclusion
The purpose of this lab was to gain experience working with vector
calculations. The most important aspect to remember when working with vectors is
that they must be broken down into their horizontal and vertical components before
any calculations are made. The discrepancies between the graphical, experimental,
and analytical results are relatively minimal, the largest discrepancy existing
between the calculations from the analytical and graphical analysis. The analytical
solution is the most accurate, as it was calculated using vector formulas while the
graphical approach involved drawing free hand lines in the hopes that they
were parallel to the original vectors. Additional sources of error may have been the
exculsion of the mass in the strings, but it is unlikely that the masses would change
our results. Friction is an additional concern but is again unlikely to have changed
results drastically.

Analysis
To sum vectors a and b, draw vector a. From the tip of vector a, draw vector b.
Then a + b is the vector from the base of a to the tip of b. This is sometines referred
to as the "Tip-to-Tail" method. To calculate a - b, instead of drawing b,draw the
vector -b, which is a vector of the same magnitude as b but going in the opposite
direction. Insert drawing
Q and p
exact analytical,
art of the graphical technique is retained, because vectors are still represented by
arrows for easy visualization. However, analytical methods are more concise,
accurate, and precise than graphical methods, which are limited by the accuracy
with which a drawing can be made. Analytical methods are limited only by the
accuracy and precision with which physical quantities are known.

I don't think mass could be neglected because force is a vector quantity - they have
magnitude and direction. Without the mass, there is no magnitude.
3.The two conditions of equilibrium are:
1. Concurrent Equilibrium the sum of vector forces through a point is zero.
2. Coplanar equilibrium, the sum of forces in a plane is zero and the sum of the
torques around the axis of the plane is zero.