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

Vector Balancing

 * 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
 * Set two weight holders 90 degrees apart, preferably set at 0 and 90 degrees
 * Place 250g at 0 degrees, 200g 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
 * Measure and document the largest unknown angle on your vector table
 * Using this formula, find actual value of this angle
 * $$\theta_{\text{actual}} = 180 - \left(\operatorname{arctan}{\frac 3 4}\right) \cdot\frac{180 \deg}{\pi}$$
 * Divide actual angle measurement by the difference between actual and measured angle to determine error percentage


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