UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA

CENTRE FOR DIPLOMA STUDIES

LABORATORY REPORT

COURSE NAME ENGINEERING LABORATORY I

TITLE OF EXPERIMENT PARALLELOGRAM OF FORCES
COURSE CODE DAM 13601 GROUP
SECTION
LECTURER'S NAME
GROUP MEMBERS MATRIC ASSESSMENT
1 Cognitive - PLO4
2 Objectives 2.5 %
3 Additional Theory 5.0 %
4 Discussions 10.0 %
5 Conclusions &
10.0 %
DATE OF EXPERIMENT Recommendation
DATE OF SUBMISSION References 2.5 %

EXAMINER COMMENTS TOTAL (PLO 4) 30.0 %

Psychomotor - PLO5
Apparatus 5.0 %
Procedures 10.0 %
Observations 10.0 %
Results 5.0 %
Calculation /
10.0 %
Graphs
Questions 10.0 %
APPROVAL STAMPS TOTAL (PLO 5) 50.0%
* Detailed components for results of
experiment. Changes are subjected to the
form of experimental results obtained.
** The assessment rating guidelines in
the TOS of report must be used together
when conducting the evaluation.
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DAM) STATICS LAB

EXPERIMENT 1
PARALLELOGRAM OF FORCES

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this experiment, students should be able to understand the concept
of Parallelogram of Forces.

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The parallelogram law gives the rule for vector addition of vectors A and B. The
sum A + B of the vectors is obtained by placing those head to tail and drawing the
vector from the free tail to the free head. The components form the sides of the
parallelogram and the resultant is the diagonal.

1.2 THEORY

When two forces act on a body in different directions in one plane, they are
equivalent to single force (the resultant) acting somewhere in between them. An
example of this is when a sledge is pulled by two horizontal ropes spread at an
angle; the sledge will move in a direction between the ropes along the line of their
resultant force.
Until the sledge moves, it will pull back against the ropes with a single horizontal
force equal and opposite to the resultant of the two ropes forces. It can be shown
that when three such forces are balanced (that is, in equilibrium), their lines of
action all meet at a point. Using this fact, the resultant of two forces in the same
plane at an angle can be found by graphical method called the Parallelogram of

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Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DAM) STATICS LAB

Forces. To maintain equilibrium, it is necessary and sufficient that the resultant

force acting on a rigid body to be equal to zero. In terms of Newton’s laws of
motion, this is expressed mathematically as:

∑ F = 0 ; Where, ∑ F is the vector sum of all forces acting on the particle.

When the body is subjected to a system of forces which all lie in the x − y plane,
the forces can be resolved into their x and y components. Consequently, the
conditions for equilibrium in two dimensions can be written in scalar form as:

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 and ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0……………………………………………. (1)

Let’s say that there are three forces namely 𝐹1 , 𝐹2 and 𝐹3 acts on a body as
shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Free Body Diagram

For equilibrium, this equation must be equal to zero. Hence, 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 + 𝐹3 = 0 .

Therefore, 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 = −𝐹3 .
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0; 𝐹1 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃1 − 𝐹2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃2 = 0………………………………………. …... (2)
𝐹1 sin 𝜃2
The sum of forces of x components, = ……………………………….… (3)
𝐹2 sin 𝜃1

The sum of forces of y components,∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0, 𝐹1 cos 𝜃1 + 𝐹2 cos 𝜃2 − 𝐹3 = 0…... (4)

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Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DAM) STATICS LAB

1.3 OBJECTIVES
* The objective of the experiment is the reason for which student completing the experiment. Refer
from learning outcomes.

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(2.5 marks)

1.4 ADDITIONAL THEORY

* The additional theory or information must be related to the topic. Please DO NOT simply copy
the theory from lab manual or handout given.

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(5 marks)

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Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DAM) STATICS LAB

1.5 APPARATUS
* Generally, explain the experimental set up or operation of the system, together with the function
of main components of the apparatus. Attach picture.
(5.0 marks)
Table 1: Parallelogram of Forces Equipment List
No Apparatus Qty
1 Work Panel (with clips) 1
2 Pulleys with fixings 2
3 Weight Hangers (10 g) 3
4 Set of Weights 10 g 70
5 Split Ring 1
6 Magnetic Protractor 1
7 Some sheets of plain paper

Magnetic
Protractor

Pulley
W2 W1

W3

Figure 2: Experiment setup

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Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DAM) STATICS LAB

1.6 PROCEDURES
* Describe a systematic procedure of the experiment including the specimen or component,
equipment, and/or methods used. Please DO NOT simply copy the procedure from a lab manual
or a handout given. Student may construct a flow chart for this procedure and attach relevant
image for every important steps.
(10 marks)

1. Prepare the work panel as shown in Figure 2.

2. Clip a sheet of paper to the work panel.
3. Attach the weight of 0.49N (50g) to the weight hook no 1 and the weight of
0.59N (60g) to the weight hook no 2 and 3. Write in the weight supported
by each cord W1, W2 and W3 (including 10g which is the weight of each
weight hook).
4. Mark the position of the three cords with pencil dots on the paper, join up
the dots and record the angle reading of 𝜃1 and 𝜃2 .
5. Increase the W1 weight to 0.59N.
6. Mark the position of the three cords with pencil dots on the paper, join up
the dots and record the angle reading of 𝜃1 and 𝜃2 .
7. Repeat step 5 and 6 while you adjust the weights of W1 to 0.69N and
0.78N.
8. Repeat step 2 until 7 to fulfill the required data as in the following table.

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Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DAM) STATICS LAB

1.7 OBSERVATIONS
* Observe the behavior of subjects that are in a controlled environment. Record any qualitative
observations and notes on the changes to the experimental parameter. Student must be able to
distinguish the different between observations and procedures as well as the results of
experiment.

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(10 marks)

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Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DAM) STATICS LAB

1.8 RESULT
*Record all experimental data resulting from the experiment and present the results by using
tables, graphs, figures and/or images. List separately all pertinent mathematical equations
followed by a sample of calculation for each. Use the recorded data from the experiment when
performing the calculations.

Table 2: Experimental results

Weight Angle Angle Ratio
No W3 W2 W1 sin 𝜃2 𝑊1 𝐹1
𝜃1 𝜃2 sin 𝜃1 sin 𝜃2 =
(N) (N) (N) sin 𝜃1 𝑊2 𝐹2

0.49

0.59
1 0.59 0.59
0.69

0.78

0.69

0.78
2 0.78 0.78
0.88

0.98

APPROVED BY

(5 marks)

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Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DAM) STATICS LAB

1.9 CALCULATION AND GRAPHS

1. In each of your diagram, the lines representing the cord positions should
be meets at the center of the ring. Along the upper cord lines, mark off
lengths OA and OB to represent the pull of weights W1 and W2 (Figure 2).
Choose a suitable scale for this, (e.g., 100mm per 1 N). Through A draw a
line AC parallel to OB, and through B draw a line BC parallel to OA, to from
the parallelogram OACB. Draw in the diagonal OC. This is the resultant
force, F of the vector F1 and F2.
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(4 marks)
2. Measure the length and direction of OC.
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(2 marks)

𝑊1 𝐹1 sin 𝜃2
3. Plot the graph of = against .
𝑊2 𝐹2 sin 𝜃1

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(4 marks)

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Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DAM) STATICS LAB

1.10 DISCUSSIONS

1. Describe Parallelogram diagrams.

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(3 marks)

𝑊1 𝐹1 sin 𝜃2
2. Discuss the graph of = against .
𝑊2 𝐹2 sin 𝜃1
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(4 marks)

3. Discuss the findings of the experiment. Did the parallelogram prove the
concept of Parallelogram of Forces?
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(3 marks)

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Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DAM) STATICS LAB

1.11 QUESTIONS

1 Explain the parallelogram method to find the resultant of two parallel

forces.
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(6 marks)

2. What are the alternative methods that can be used to analyze the addition
of two forces?
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(4 marks)

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Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DAM) STATICS LAB

1.12 CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS

* Summarize the findings of the experiment, which must include the results of the experiment and
the conclusions must respond to the objectives of the experiment that have been specified.
Comment on the error or problems faced throughout the experiment and suggest recommendation
for the improvement.

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(10 marks)

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Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DAM) STATICS LAB

1.13 REFERENCES
* Provide at least five (5) relevant references – three from the books and the other two from any
other resources.

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(2.5 marks)

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