Wright State University Lake Campus/2016-9/Phy1110/log/CRind

Vector Balancing Table

• The objective of this experiment is to observe the balancing forces behind the vectors formed by a 3 4 5 triangle using three weight holders on a vector table.
  • Experimental Steps
    • First set two weight holders 90 degrees apart
    • Place 200g at 0 degrees, 250g at unknown, and 150g at 90degrees respectively on each weight holder
    • Experiment by moving the third weight until the vectors have balanced and the ring is centered
    • Do math

$x+\theta =180\mathrm{deg}$

$\tan \theta =\frac{3}{4}$

$\theta =(\arctan \frac{3}{4})\cdot \frac{180\mathrm{deg}}{\pi }=X$

$180-X={\theta }_{\text{actual}}$

${\theta }_{\text{actual}}=180-(\arctan \frac{3}{4})\cdot \frac{180\mathrm{deg}}{\pi }$

• • • Measure the largest unknown angle on your vector table
    • Divide actual angle measurement by the difference between actual and measured angle to determine error percentage

• • Results
    • We found our largest angle to be 144 degrees and calculated the actual angle to be 143 degrees, resulting in a .7% error