What Are the Uses of a Force Table?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 30, 2020

In the study of vectors in physics, force tables allow for the application and manipulation of forces in a controlled and measurable way. A force table can be used to establish equilibrium for a given particle and then the addition of vectors can be observed and measured.

A force table is a round apparatus with 360 degrees marked on its surface. A ring in the middle can be manipulated by applying force in the form of a string attached to a weight that pulls it, representing a vector. As more strings and vector force is applied, the effects on the ring in the center can be measured and static equilibrium – the state when the sum of all vector forces is equal to zero – can be achieved by manipulating the various weights.