free body diagrams

Front

What is a free body diagram?

Back

A graphical representation used to visualize the forces acting on an object, showing all the forces as vectors originating from a single point.

Front

What does the tension force represent in a free body diagram?

Back

The force exerted by a string, rope, or cable when it is pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends.

Front

What is the normal force?

Back

The support force exerted upon an object that is in contact with a stable surface, acting perpendicular to the surface.

Front

What is friction?

Back

A force that opposes the relative motion of two surfaces in contact, acting parallel to the surfaces.

Front

What is the applied force?

Back

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

Front

How do you calculate net force?

Back

Net force is the vector sum of all the forces acting on an object, taking into account their directions.

Front

What is weight force?

Back

The force exerted by gravity on an object, calculated as the mass of the object multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity (W = mg).

Front

What is the role of gravity in free body diagrams?

Back

Gravity acts downward on an object, represented as a force vector pointing towards the center of the Earth.

Front

What is inertia?

Back

The tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion; an object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by a net external force.

Front

What is the difference between static and kinetic friction?

Back

Static friction acts on objects that are not moving, while kinetic friction acts on objects that are sliding over each other.