Date:

To find the weight of the given body using law of

Expt. No.
parallelogram law of vectors to verify law of vector addition and by using it to find the
unknown weight of the body

Aim: Measurement of the weight of a given body (a wooden block) using the parallelogram law of
vector addition.
Apparatus: The given body with hook, the parallelogram law of vector apparatus (Gravesands
apparatus), strong thread, slotted weights (two sets), white paper, thin mirror strip, sharp
pencil.
Diagram:

Theory:
The magnitude of the two forces and the angle between them is given as:
R = (P2 + Q2 + 2 P Q cos )
Observations:
Weight of each hanger = ------------ g wt
Observation Table:
Sr. No.

Force P = Wt of
hanger + slotted
weight (g wt)

Force Q = Wt of
hanger + slotted
weight (g wt)

Length OC = L
(cm)

Unknown
weight X = (g
wt)

1
2

Calculations:
R = (P2 + Q2 + 2 P Q cos )
= (----------- + ------------- + 2 -------- ---------- ------------)
= ----------= ----------Result:
The known weight of the given body = ----------- dyne
percentage error in known weight = ------- %
The unknown weight of the given body = ----------- dyne
percentage error in unknown weight = ------- %
Procedure:
Ensure that the pulleys are moving smoothly.
Fix a sheet of white paper on the wooden board with drawing pins.
Take a long string of thread and tie the hangers at the two ends of the thread.
Arrange them on the pulleys as shown in the diagram.
Connect another piece of the thread at the centre with the hanger.
Find the balanced condition for the central knot.
Place the mirror strip underneath the string and mark the two points.

Angle between
two vectors

 Draw the three lines using the marked points.

Take the appropriate scale and complete the parallelogram.
Find the resultant.
Perform this procedure for the known as well as unknown weight at the centre of the finger.
Precautions:
The board should be vertical and stable.
The hangers should not touch the board or table.
Points should be marked only when the weights are at rest.
Points should be marked with sharp pencil.
A proper scale should be taken to make fairly big parallelogram.
Arrows should be made to show direction of forces.
Pulley should be frictionless.
Sources of error:
Weights might not be accurate.
Points may not be marked correctly.
Pulley may not be frictionless.
Weights measured by spring balance may not be much accurate.
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