Why Must a Force Table Be Level for Accurate Vector Equilibrium Calculations?

[munchy35]

Homework Statement

i did a lab where we used a force table and pulleys/string to find equilbrants of vectors/forces.

a question I'm having a hard time explaining is...

why does the force table have to be level? what would the effect of having a tilted table have on the results?

also...if the mass of each force/vector is the same for each, can the mass be neglected?

Homework Equations

none. f=ma ?

The Attempt at a Solution

for the first question...

i know the results would be affected. i don't know if it has something to do with the normal force being perpendicular. or the mass and angle would have to be adjusted to accommodate for the unequal force on the tilted side.

2. i don't think it can be neglected because mass is part of the magnitude part of a vector quantity.


any help or input?

 

[anathema]

Hello,

Great job on your lab using the force table! The force table must be level in order to accurately represent the forces acting on the system. This is because when the force table is level, the normal force acts perpendicular to the surface, which is necessary for calculating the equilibrant. If the table is tilted, the normal force would no longer be perpendicular to the surface and would have a component acting in the direction of the tilt. This would affect the results because the equilibrant would not be the exact opposite of the resultant force.

Additionally, the mass of each force/vector cannot be neglected. As you mentioned, mass is part of the magnitude of a vector quantity. In this case, the mass is used to calculate the weight, which is one of the forces acting on the system. If the masses were neglected, the weight would also be neglected, resulting in an inaccurate representation of the forces.

I hope this helps to clarify your questions. Keep up the good work in your experiments!

 

[tomcue]

I can provide some insights into the questions you have about the force table and its use in finding equilibrants of forces.

Firstly, the force table needs to be level in order to accurately measure and calculate the forces involved. This is because the force table is essentially a scaled-down version of the real world, where forces act in three dimensions. By keeping the table level, we are able to isolate the forces in two dimensions, making it easier to calculate and analyze. If the table were to be tilted, the forces would act at an angle, making it more difficult to accurately measure and calculate the equilibrant.

In terms of the effect of a tilted table on the results, it would depend on the angle of the tilt and the forces involved. In some cases, it may result in a larger or smaller equilibrant, while in others it may completely change the direction of the equilibrant. This is because the force components would change with the tilt, and thus affect the overall equilibrant.

Regarding your second question, while it is true that the mass is part of the magnitude of a vector quantity, it can be neglected in certain cases. This would be in situations where the mass of the object is negligible compared to the other forces involved. However, in most cases, it is important to consider the mass in order to accurately calculate the forces and their equilibrant.

I hope this helps to clarify your questions and provide a better understanding of the force table and its use in finding equilibrants of forces. Keep up the good work in your lab experiments!