Rigid Body Diagram

Definition

A rigid body diagram is a simplified representation of an object that assumes it is perfectly rigid and does not deform under the action of forces.

Analogy

Imagine you have a Lego structure made up of multiple blocks. A rigid body diagram would be like looking at the structure as a whole, without considering how each individual block moves or bends.

Related terms

Free-body diagram: A free-body diagram shows all the forces acting on an object, represented by arrows pointing in different directions.

Torque: Torque is a measure of how effectively a force can cause an object to rotate. It depends on both the magnitude and direction of the force.

Equilibrium: Equilibrium occurs when an object has zero net force and zero net torque acting on it, resulting in no acceleration or rotation.