Vectors
Force Table Lab: Vectors
The general idea of what a force is
A force is an interaction between two bodies that could potentially change the state of a system
A push or a pull on an object due to some other object
Two Forces we will deal with today:
Weight- We call this the force of interaction between earth and any massive object on Earth surface (Not to be confused with mass: how much stuff makes up an object)
Tension Force- The force that the string exerts on the mass (equal in magnitude to the forces that the string experiences from the mass)
Though forces are an important concept that we will talk about in the future in extensive detail, today we are Mainly interested in one Concept: FORCES ARE VECTORS!
A vector is a physical parameter that has two properties
A magnitude
A direction
Vectors can be broken up into components
Often times we will break up vectors into our coordinate system- for convenience
We can perform Vector addition
We can add Graphically
we can add components
We can perform scalar multiplication
These are just like scaling up or down a picture
We multiply by a constant value
In this Lab, you will
Find a vector that is equal and opposite to the addition of vectors A and B by randomly placing the third weight
Scale down your Force Vectors (A and B) and add them graphically
The result of this vector should be EQUAL and Opposite to Vector C
Break your vectors into components and calculate them mathematically
Use a force sensor to test your calculation
In order to practice dealing with vectors, let’s work as a class on the following problem.
Work with your lab partners for 15 minutes, then we will go over this together.
Problem:
Consider the following coordinate plane where vectors a and b are shown.
a) Find the components of a along the x-axis and along the y-axis (labeled ax and ay)
b) Now find the x and y components of b. (keep in mind that sign indicates direction)
c) Add the x component of a with the x component of b and the y component of a with the y component of b.
d) Use the results from above to draw the “resultant vector” (showing its components). The resultant vector is the vector that has its x component equal to the addition of the x components of a and b and has its y component equal to the sum of the y components of a and b. (use graph paper)
e) Use a ruler and a protractor to recreate the picture above but placing the tail of b on the head of a and drawing the resultant vector connecting the tail of a to the head of b. We call this head to tail addition. (use graph paper)