Vector Addition Activity
Equipment:
Name ______________________________
scratch paper
rulers
protractors
Introduction: In this lab you will perform vector force addition by Algebraic and
Graphical and methods.
Table 1.
Vectors
Algebraic
Graphical
Use
(cm)
Resultant, R (grams)
Resultant, R (grams)
(magnitude and direction)
(magnitude and direction)
a
Pencil

F1  10cm @ 30

F2  10cm @ 60

F1  10cm @ 0

F2  10cm @ 150

F1  10cm @ 0

F2  15cm @ 90
Vector
addition 1
Vector
addition 2
Vector
addition 3
Part I. Algebraic Vector Addition
F
x
 F1 cos 1  F2 cos  2
and
F
y
 F1 sin 1  F2 sin 2
  tan 1  
Fy 


F
 x 

1. Use the equations above to solve for the magnitude Fnet and direction  of the

Fnet 
 F    F 
2
x
2
y
and




resultant of adding F1  10cm @ 30 and F2  10cm @ 60 . Enter Fnet and  in Table 1.
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CYP Labs

2. Use the equations above to solve for the magnitude Fnet and direction  of the



resultant of adding F1  10cm @ 0 and F2  10cm @ 150 . Enter Fnet and  in Table 1.

3. Use the equations above to solve for the magnitude Fnet and direction  of the



resultant of adding F1  10cm @ 0 and F2  15cm @ 90 . Enter Fnet and  in Table 1.
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CYP Labs
Part II. Graphical Vector Addition
You will now add the same vectors by using the graphical tail-to-head method. Use a
ruler and protractor. Plan ahead so you don’t run out of room on your paper. Measure
the magnitude of the resultant vector in cm on your paper. Also measure the Resultant
angle. Record both in Table 1 for each one.

1. Use Graphical Vector Addition to find the magnitude Fnet and direction  of the



resultant of adding F1  10cm @ 30 and F2  10cm @ 60 . Enter Fnet and  in Table 1.
Show a graph from your group to your instructor before you proceed to the next step.
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CYP Labs

2. Use Graphical Vector Addition to find the magnitude Fnet and direction  of the



resultant of adding F1  10cm @ 0 and F2  10cm @ 150 . Enter Fnet and  in Table 1.
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CYP Labs

3. Use Graphical Vector Addition to find the magnitude Fnet and direction  of the



resultant of adding F1  10cm @ 0 and F2  15cm @ 90 . Enter Fnet and  in Table 1.
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CYP Labs