A free-body diagram is a visual representation that shows all the forces acting on an object. It helps analyze and understand how different forces affect the motion of an object.
Think of a free-body diagram as a snapshot taken from a movie scene where you freeze-frame and highlight all the actors involved, showing their positions and interactions with each other. Similarly, a free-body diagram highlights all the forces acting on an object to better understand its motion.
Force: Force is any push or pull that can cause an object to accelerate, decelerate, or change shape.
Net Force: Net force is the vector sum of all individual forces acting on an object. It determines whether there will be any change in motion.
Equilibrium: Equilibrium occurs when there is no net force acting on an object, resulting in balanced forces and no change in motion.
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.