experimenttitle-universityofhawaii（6页）.docVIP

Date Course Name Instructor Name Student(s) Name Vectors and the Force Table Updated Fall 2009 STUDENT OUTCOMES Through this experiment, students will learn: Vector analysis Resultant vs equilibrant vectors Experimental errors Statistical Analysis A scalar is a physical quantity that possesses magnitude only. Examples of scalar quantities are mass, time density, and temperature. A vector is a quantity that possesses both magnitude and direction; examples of vector quantities are velocity, acceleration and force. A vector can be represented by an arrow pointing in the direction of the vector, the length of the line should be proportional to the magnitude of the vector. Vectors can be added either graphically or analytically. The sum or RESULTANT of two or more vectors is a single vector which produces the same effect. For example, if two or more forces act at a certain point, their resultant is that force which, if applied at that point, has the same effect as the two separate forces acting together. The EQUILIBRANT is defined as the force equal and opposite to the resultant. Those two concepts of resultant and equilibrant vectors are the keys to this experiment. Please spend some time practicing your vector addition using the graphical applet at: /~pseng/labs/applets/Vectors/index.html In this applet, the green line has no direction (which is an omission and a bummer). Hence, the direction of this line from the origin to the blue vector is the resultant vector while the equilibrant is the vector pointing from the blue vector back to the origin. Remember that both resultant and equilibrant vectors have the same magnitude but opposite direction. The force table is an apparatus that allows the experimental determination of the resultant of force vectors. The rim of the circular table is calibrated in degrees. Forces are applied to a ring around a metal peg at the center of the table by means of strings. The strings extend over pulleys c