This lab is an introduction to vectors. The purpose of this lab is for students to learn how to determine the components of a vector, how to add vectors, and how to determine a null resultant vector.
A brief introductory lecture is given on how to calculate the components of a vector, along with how to add vectors both analytically and graphically. The students in groups of two or three are then given 2 vectors,F1 and F2, and they are then to determine a third vector, F3 that will give a null vector, ie F1 + F2 + F3 = 0. They do this both analytically, by calculating components, and graphically using a ruler and a protractor. They then go into lab and use a force table to observe if their calculations and graphs are correct.
The photos show students drawing graphs and then using the force tables.