IB Lab: Vector Addition—Displacement

Name: __________________________ My partner was: _____________________

Lab is due on Wednesday, 10/18/17 at the beginning of the period (BOP)

Purpose: to determine the displacement from the screen in our classroom to the center of the door of the staff bathroom
in the 1410 office pod.
- You must start with 2 vectors that are perpendicular to each other in order to set your x- and y- axes, if you’d like,
but that’s it. You should have non-zero components for each of the other vectors.
- You must use at least 7 vectors in your measurements.
- Follow your assigned path (A, B, C, or D) *Write down which path you were assigned: _____
- Collect your data and sketch a diagram in your journal. The final product will be turned in on paper—guidelines
below:

The more neatly and carefully you make your measurements and construct your diagram, the easier
your processing will be!!

Your lab write-up will include the following:

- A description of which hallways you traversed. (what was your assigned path) (1 pt)
- A vector diagram (tip-to-tail)-- must show all measured vectors and where/how you measured the angles
(your diagram must be drawn neatly, accurately to scale (have a legend showing what this scale is…), and
be labeled—the vectors should just be numbered, as you’ll have their measurements of length and angles
in the data table described below) (4 pts—neatness, accuracy, and good labels all count!)
- in a separate color, draw, and label, your resultant vector on your vector diagram! (1 pt)
- Include a data table that indicates, for each vector, its magnitude (and uncertainty), and the full angle that
you measured. Also include the acute angle you will use in your calculations and indicate whether you it
is measured from the x-axis or the y-axis so you can correctly calculate components of each vector. Don’t
forget to include the absolute uncertainty for each measurement (distance and angle for each vector).
- Include a second data table to show your calculated x- and y- components for each of your vectors.
o You should have 5 columns:
 Vector #
 Work (set-up) for x-component
 Answer for x-component
 Work (set-up) for y-component
 Answer for y-component.
o Report answers to appropriate sig. figs. And remember your units!
- Data processing
o Show ALL work and clear steps to get to your final, resultant displacement (magnitude AND
direction relative to the N/S axis). (Did I mention that you need to very clearly show your work?
)
o Bonus: Propagate your uncertainties throughout your calculation and include with your final
answer for the resultant’s magnitude and direction. You must show all your work clearly so it is
easily followed!
Lab Score:
Path description: _____/1 Data Table 2: _____/2
Vector Diagram: _____/4 Completed calculation: _____/3
Data Table 1: _____/2 IB Lab Skills: _____/3
Lab Score:
Path description: _____/1 Data Table 2: _____/2
Vector Diagram: _____/4 Completed calculation: _____/3
Data Table 1: _____/2 IB Lab Skills: _____/3

Lab Score:
Path description: _____/1 Data Table 2: _____/2
Vector Diagram: _____/4 Completed calculation: _____/3
Data Table 1: _____/2 IB Lab Skills: _____/3

Lab Score:
Path description: _____/1 Data Table 2: _____/2
Vector Diagram: _____/4 Completed calculation: _____/3
Data Table 1: _____/2 IB Lab Skills: _____/3

Lab Score:
Path description: _____/1 Data Table 2: _____/2
Vector Diagram: _____/4 Completed calculation: _____/3
Data Table 1: _____/2 IB Lab Skills: _____/3

Lab Score:
Path description: _____/1 Data Table 2: _____/2
Vector Diagram: _____/4 Completed calculation: _____/3
Data Table 1: _____/2 IB Lab Skills: _____/3

Lab Score:
Path description: _____/1 Data Table 2: _____/2
Vector Diagram: _____/4 Completed calculation: _____/3
Data Table 1: _____/2 IB Lab Skills: _____/3

Lab Score:
Path description: _____/1 Data Table 2: _____/2
Vector Diagram: _____/4 Completed calculation: _____/3
Data Table 1: _____/2 IB Lab Skills: _____/3

Lab Score:
Path description: _____/1 Data Table 2: _____/2
Vector Diagram: _____/4 Completed calculation: _____/3
Data Table 1: _____/2 IB Lab Skills: _____/3
Path Assignments:

A: Start at screen in classroom; traverse the hallways past the

counseling/career center and past the textbook room and elevator
to get to the 1410 bathroom

B: Start at the screen in the classroom; turn left at the stairs and
then turn right down the hallway with the school map. This will take
you past 1307 and 1311 before turning to reach the office pod’s
bathroom

C: Start at the bathroom in the 1410 office pod; take a left out of
the office pod to traverse the hallways past the textbook room, the
elevator, and then past the counseling/career centers to return to
the screen in the classroom

D: Start at the bathroom in the 1410 office pod; take a right out of
the office pod and follow the hallway in front of 1317 and 1311 to
make your way back to the classroom’s screen.