Analysis

In the first trial, the result from the force table are F4 is 110 g and

the angle is 326˚ thus the actual θ being 146˚. In the experiment,

if the angle is moved even slightly or the mass is decreased or

increased even in the smallest value, the ring will move away

from the center. The percentage error of the graphical method

when compared to the result from the force table is 0% and

0.6849%, for the resultant and the angle respectively. When the

values from the force table are compared to the results from the

component method, the percentage error is 1.1854% and

0.8119%, for the resultant and the angle respectively. In the

second trial, the resultant is 115 g and the actual θ is 91˚. The

percentage error of the graphical method when compared to the

result from the force table is 0% and 2.1978%, for the resultant

and the angle respectively. While the percentage error for the

component method is 0.9565% and 0.4286%, for the resultant

and the angle respectively.

Conclusion

Based on the experiment, the resultant force can be determined

using Graphical Method (polygon method) and Analytical Method

(component method) and also by using the force table. The

accuracy of the three methods is quite high. The graphical

method is the most accurate in determining the resultant while

the analytical method is the best of the three in finding the

direction because of its low percentage error. Human error is one

of the probable sources of errors in the experiment. The

measurements were within 2% difference and sometimes 0%, so

the force table was reasonably accurate.

Related Application

One important application of this principle is in the recreational

sport of sail boating. Sailboats encounter a force of wind

resistance due to the impact of the moving air molecules against

the sail. This force of wind resistance is directed perpendicular to

the face of the sail, and as such is often directed at an angle to

the direction of the sailboat's motion. The actual direction of this

force is dependent upon the orientation of the sail. To determine

the influence of the wind resistance force in the direction of

motion, that force will have to be resolved into two components -

one in the direction that the sailboat is moving and the other in a

direction perpendicular to the sailboat's motion.

Source:

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/vectors/U3L3b.cfm