PHYS 2LA Lab 3: Vector Analysis

What is the main difference between a scalar and a vector quantity?

A scalar has magnitude only, while a vector has both magnitude and direction

A vector has magnitude A and makes an angle θ counterclockwise from the positive x-axis. Which equations give its components?

Ax=Acosθ, Ay=Asinθ

According to the lab, how should vectors be added graphically?

Draw them tip-to-tail and draw the resultant from the first tail to the final tip.

On the force table, when are the forces considered balanced?

When the vector sum of all forces is zero and the knot stays centered.

When setting up the force table, why must you include the mass of the mass holder in your calculations?

The holder contributes to the total hanging mass and therefore the applied force.