A-4 Determine the magnitude and direction of the vector sum of the two original forces using the graphical method. Do this on graph paper using your ruler and protractor and a suitable scale like "1 cm on the paper = 25 g."
A-5 Determine the magnitude and direction of the same vector sum using the analytical method. (This result should, of course, agree with the value you obtained in step A-4.)
A-6 Compare your experimental value for the equilibrant from step A-3 with the opposite of your calculated values for the vector sum of the forces in steps A-4 and A-5. (Display these three vectors prominently in a table to make the comparison easy.)
Do your results support or contradict the hypothesis that forces add like vectors?
Part B: Predicting the Equilibrant
(Assuming that you have shown that forces add like vectors in Part A, you can now predict the single force required to balance a given set of forces - i.e., the equilibrant.)
B-1 Determine the equilibrant for the three forces shown in Figure 3-5 using both the graphical and analytical methods; i.e., find -vec(S).
FIGURE 3-5. Given forces for Part B.
B-2 Set up the three forces in Figure 3-5 on the force table. Check the prediction you made in step B-1 by adding a fourth force with the magnitude and direction you determined for the equilibrant.
How well did you succeed in predicting the equilibrant?
Force 1: Mass (160g) Angle (0 degrees)
Force 2: Mass (200g) Angle (90 degrees)
Force 3: Mass (250g) Angle (200 degrees)
Force 4: Mass (100g) Angle (296 degrees)
I need help graphing the 4 forces using a protractor (part B)
