Free Body Diagrams

Front

What is a Free Body Diagram (FBD)?

Back

A Free Body Diagram (FBD) is a graphical representation used to visualize the forces acting on an object. It shows the object as a dot and the forces as arrows pointing in the direction they act.

Front

What are the common forces represented in Free Body Diagrams?

Back

Common forces include gravitational force, normal force, applied force, frictional force, tension, and air resistance.

Front

How do you determine the direction of the gravitational force in a Free Body Diagram?

Back

The gravitational force always acts downward towards the center of the Earth.

Front

What is the normal force?

Back

The normal force is the support force exerted upon an object that is in contact with a surface. It acts perpendicular to the surface.

Front

What is the applied force?

Back

The applied force is a force that is applied to an object by a person or another object.

Front

What is frictional force?

Back

Frictional force is the force that opposes the motion of an object. It acts parallel to the surfaces in contact.

Front

How does the angle of an inclined plane affect the forces in a Free Body Diagram?

Back

On an inclined plane, the gravitational force can be resolved into two components: one parallel to the plane (causing motion) and one perpendicular to the plane (contributing to the normal force).

Front

What is tension in the context of Free Body Diagrams?

Back

Tension is the force transmitted through a string, rope, or cable when it is pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends.

Front

How do you calculate net force from a Free Body Diagram?

Back

Net force is calculated by vectorially adding all the forces acting on the object, taking into account their directions.

Front

What is the significance of the size of the arrows in a Free Body Diagram?

Back

The size of the arrows represents the magnitude of the forces; longer arrows indicate greater forces.