Free Body Diagrams

Front

What is a Free Body Diagram (FBD)?

Back

A graphical representation used to visualize the forces acting on an object.

Front

What does net force mean?

Back

The vector sum of all the forces acting on an object.

Front

How do you determine the direction of net force?

Back

The direction of net force is the same as the direction of the acceleration of the object.

Front

What is a balanced force?

Back

When all the forces acting on an object are equal in size and opposite in direction, resulting in no change in motion.

Front

What is an unbalanced force?

Back

When the forces acting on an object are not equal, causing the object to accelerate in the direction of the net force.

Front

What is gravitational force (F_g)?

Back

The force of attraction between two masses, such as an object and the Earth.

Front

What is normal force (F_N)?

Back

The support force exerted by a surface perpendicular to the object resting on it.

Front

What is applied force (F_app)?

Back

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

Front

What is frictional force (F_f)?

Back

The force that opposes the motion of an object in contact with a surface.

Front

What is air resistance?

Back

A type of frictional force that acts against the motion of an object moving through air.