Forces & Free Body Diagrams

Front

What is a free-body diagram?

Back

A free-body diagram 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 does the term 'net force' refer to?

Back

Net force is the vector sum of all the forces acting on an object. It determines the object's acceleration and direction of motion.

Front

What is the role of friction in motion?

Back

Friction is a force that opposes the relative motion of two surfaces in contact. It acts in the opposite direction to the movement.

Front

What are balanced forces?

Back

Balanced forces are forces that are equal in size but opposite in direction, resulting in no change in motion of the object.

Front

What is the normal force?

Back

The normal force is the support force exerted by a surface perpendicular to the object resting on it, preventing it from sinking into the surface.

Front

What is gravity?

Back

Gravity is a force that attracts two bodies towards each other, commonly experienced as the force that pulls objects towards the Earth.

Front

How do you calculate net force when multiple forces are acting on an object?

Back

To calculate net force, sum all the forces acting on the object, taking into account their directions. Forces in the same direction add together, while forces in opposite directions subtract.

Front

What happens when the net force on an object is zero?

Back

When the net force on an object is zero, the object is either at rest or moving at a constant velocity, indicating that the forces are balanced.

Front

What is the effect of unbalanced forces on an object?

Back

Unbalanced forces cause an object to accelerate in the direction of the net force, changing its speed or direction of motion.

Front

What is the difference between static and kinetic friction?

Back

Static friction acts on an object at rest and prevents it from starting to move, while kinetic friction acts on an object in motion and opposes its movement.