PONTIFICAL AND ROYAL

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Senior High School – Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics Strand
General Physics 1
1st Term / SY 2023-2024

Section: __________ Name of Members:

(alphabetical, surname first)
Group Number: __________
___________________________________
Laboratory Activity 1: ___________________________________
___________________________________
Force Table ___________________________________
___________________________________
Date of Activity: Date Submitted: ___________________________________
___________________________________
________________ _________________ ___________________________________

Introduction:

Vector quantities or vectors are quantities that have both magnitude and direction. Vector addition
is the common operation that we apply on vectors. The sum of two or more vector quantities is represented
by a single vector called the resultant. [3]
An example of a vector quantity is a force. These forces can be determined analytically and
experimentally. Experimentally, forces can be determined by representations as force vectors on a force
table shown on Figure 1 below.

Figure 1. Force Table [2]

A force table contains a level horizontal disk, a circular scale which is calibrated from 0 to 360
degrees), and a pin at the middle of the horizontal disk holds a ring where strings are knotted. The strings
are passed over pulleys clamped at the circular scale of the force table. Force vectors can now be
represented by placing slotted masses on the mass hangers from the end of the strings.

The direction of a force vector is also represented by the correct placement of the angle at which the
pulley is clamped. The magnitude of every force applied to the ring is equivalent to the weight hanged to the
end of the string. Therefore, to determine the weight (unit in Newtons or N) of the mass hangers with the
slotted masses (unit in kilograms or kg) suspended from the string can be calculated with this equation
(E.q.1.1):

Weight = (mass holder + slotted masses) × (9.80 m/s2) (1.1)

 The force table shows force vectors acting concurrently at the center, meaning the forces acted on
the force table are applied simultaneously at one point. These forces are called concurrent forces. When the
concurrent forces are represented on the force table, a resultant force is applied at the same point of the
force vectors and produces the same effect when all the forces are adding. Equilibrant force is a force
applied at the same point that produces equilibrium and is placed opposite to the direction of the resultant
force. Both magnitudes of the resultant force and the equilibrant force should be equal but opposite in
directions to make the force table in equilibrium.

Objectives:
At the end of the activity, the learners should be able to:
1. determine the resultant force of concurrent forces using the force table and analytical method; and
2. verify the equilibrant force using the force table.

Materials:
● Digital Balance
● Mass hangers
● Force table
● Set of weights
● Clamps
● Pulleys
● Strings

Procedure:

Before the experiment:

1. Make sure that all group members wear their lab gowns properly.
2. Prepare all materials needed and lay them down in the experiment table assigned to your group.
3. Sanitize the instruments before using.

During the experiment:

A. Determination of the resultant force and equilibrant force using the force table (experimental
method).
1. Set up the force table and make sure the horizontal disk is horizontal by adjusting the leveling screws
at the bottom of the force table.
2. Measure the three mass hangers in grams using a digital balance and indicate/label each mass hanger
with their respective masses as 𝐹 ⃗⃗⃗1 , 𝐹
⃗⃗⃗2 , and 𝐸⃗ .
3. Represent these force vectors in the force table by adding known slotted masses to their respective
mass holders attached at the end of the strings:
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹1 = 65.0 grams + mass holder of ⃗⃗⃗𝐹1 @ 10.00 N of W
⃗⃗⃗2 = 40.0 grams + mass holder of ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 𝐹2 @ 20.00 E of S
4. Set the applied forces at equilibrium by applying another force set as the equilibrant force (𝐸⃗ ) on the
third string until the ring becomes symmetrically arranged at the center of the force table. To make
the force table in equilibrium, this is done by trial and error.
5. If the force table is in equilibrium, then record all masses placed on the equilibrant force as the
magnitude. Also, record the angle of the equilibrant force set on the force table.
6. Remember: The resultant force is equal to the magnitude of the equilibrant force but opposite in
direction. Record also the resultant force of the force table for both magnitude and direction as ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑅𝐸 .

B. Determination of the resultant force and equilibrant force using analytical method (component
method).
1. Use the same force vectors from the force table, calculate the magnitude and direction of the
resultant vector by applying the component method.
2. Solve and record the resultant force for both magnitude and direction as ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑅𝐴 .
3. Remember: The resultant force is equal to the magnitude of the equilibrant but opposite in direction.
Record also equilibrant force for both magnitude and direction as ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐸𝐸 .
C. Comparison based on their percent differences:

Compare all resultant forces both magnitude and directions by calculating the percent difference.
Recall that the percent difference PD between two readings R1 and R2 is given by (E.q. 1.2):

2|𝑅1 −𝑅2 |
𝑃𝐷 = × 100 (1.2)
𝑅1 +𝑅2
For this experiment, set ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑅𝐴 as the R1 and ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑅𝐸 as the R2. Calculate both percent difference for the
magnitudes and angles.

After the experiment:

1. Complete all information needed for this experiment.
2. Make sure that all materials and equipment are properly cleaned and organized. Equipment should
be in the same condition as it is before the experiment.
3. Return the materials to the instructor.
4. Clean and sanitize your table. Properly dispose materials as necessary.

Data Gathered
A. Force Table (Experimental):

Force Vectors Magnitude (in Newtons) Direction and Angle

⃗⃗⃗
𝐹1 10.00 N of W
180 – 10.0 = 1700
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹2

⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐸𝐸

⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑅𝐸

Computations:
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹1 = (m1 + mass holder of ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹1 ) × (9.80 m/s2) = (0.0650 kg + ________) × (9.80 m/s2)
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹1 = _____________ N
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹2 = (m1 + mass holder of ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹2 ) × (9.80 m/s2) =
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹2 = _____________ N
𝐸⃗ = (m1 + mass holder of 𝐸⃗ ) × (9.80 m/s2) =
𝐸⃗ = _____________ N
B. Analytical Method (Component Method):

Forces (N) Angle x-component y-component

⃗⃗⃗
𝐹1 =

⃗⃗⃗
𝐹2 =

Rx = Ry =

Computations:

⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑅𝐴 =
⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐸𝐴 =
B. Percent Differences

Force Vectors Magnitude (in Newtons) Direction and Angle

⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑅𝐸

⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑅𝐴

Percent Differences
Computations:

Percent difference of magnitude:

2|𝑅𝐴 −𝑅𝐸 |
𝑃𝐷 = × 100
𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐸

Percent difference of direction and angle:

References:

[1] Young, H. D., Freedman, R. A., Ford, A. L., & Estrugo, K. Z. (2020). University Physics: With modern physics
(15th ed.). Pearson Education Limited.

[2] Vector Addition of Forces, https://dsimanek.vialattea.net/scenario/labman1/forctabl.htm

[3] Silverio, Angelina A. (2017) Exploring Life Through Science Series: General Physics 1. Phoenix Publishing
House, Inc

[4] Reyes, Christopher G. (2018) General Physics 1 for Stem Strand Senior High Specialized Subject. Manila
Mindshapers Co., Inc.

[5] Paul Tipler and Gene Mosca (2008) Physics for scientists and engineers, 6th ed. W.H. Freeman and
Company
Rubrics for Laboratory Experiment 1