Lab #4 Vectors and Equilibrium



Lab #6 - Vectors and Equilibrium

 

Reminder: An object will remain at rest or at constant velocity unless it experiences a NET external force.

 

The first condition for equilibrium: the net force acting on an object in the x and y direction must be zero.

 

Problem Solving Strategy:

1. Draw a simple neat diagram of the system.

2. Isolate the object that is being analyzed. Draw a diagram showing all external forces that are acting on the object.

3. Establish convenient coordinate axes for each body and find the components of the forces along these axes. Now apply the first condition for equilibrium. [pic]

 

In this lab you will use the first condition for equilibrium to find the equilibrant force that must be added to a system in order for the system to be in equilibrium. A force table will be used to experimentally find the resultant and equilibrant force when force vectors are applied to the force table. The result of analytical and graphical methods will be compared with experimental results obtained from the force table.

 

Lab setup:

1. On the force table, attach two spring balances at the designated angles and forces (in Newtons).

2. Using another spring balance, determine the magnitude and direction of the equilibrant force that maintains the central ring centered in equilibrium around the center hole in the table.

3. Record the magnitude AND direction of the resultant of the applied forces in the data table. Remember the resultant has the same magnitude as the equilibrant, but is in the opposite direction.

 

 

 

 

 

4. For vector resolution (ie: finding the x and y components) place the force and its equilibrant on the force table and find the x and y components that would result in that force.

 

|Resultant Magnitude and Direction |

|  |Forces ( N ) |Graphical |Experimental |

|Vector Addition I |F1= N θ=30º |  |  |

| |F2= N θ=120º | | |

|Vector Addition II |F1= N θ=20º |  |  |

| |F2= N θ=80º | | |

|Vector Addition III |F1= N θ=0º |  |  |

| |F2= N θ=90º | | |

|Vector Addition IV |F1= N θ=30º |  |  |

| |F2= N θ=90º | | |

| |F3= N θ=225º | | |

|Vector Resolution |F= N θ=60º |Fx= |Fx= |

| |  |Fy= |Fy= |

| | | |  |

 

 

Your lab report will consist of the cover sheet (with all appropriate information), the data table, copies of your free-body diagrams drawn to scale, and the answers to the following questions (standard lab write up is NOT required).

 

1. Considering the graphical and experimental solutions of vector addition, which one is more accurate? Why do you think this is so?

2. What are the probable sources of error for each of the methods (give examples of the types of error)?

a. Graphical

b. Experimental

3. A picture hangs on a nail as shown. If the tension in each string is 3.5N

a. What is the equilibrant or upward reaction force of the nail?

b. What is the weight of the picture?

-----------------------

|Resultant |

|F2[pic] |

|F1[pic] |

|Equilibrant |

| 45º 45º |

Picture

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