worksheet #1 free body or force diagrams

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We Would Like to Suggest ...

Apply the method described in the paragraph above to construct free-body diagrams for the various situations described below. Answers are shown and explained at the bottom of this page.

• A book is at rest on a tabletop. Diagram the forces acting on the book. See answer.  
• A gymnast holding onto a bar, is suspended motionless in mid-air. The bar is supported by two ropes that attach to the ceiling. Diagram the forces acting on the combination of gymnast and bar. See answer.  
• An egg is free-falling from a nest in a tree. Neglect air resistance. Diagram the forces acting on the egg as it is falling. See answer.  
• A flying squirrel is gliding (no wing flaps ) from a tree to the ground at constant velocity. Consider air resistance. Diagram the forces acting on the squirrel. See answer.  
• A rightward force is applied to a book in order to move it across a desk with a rightward acceleration. Consider frictional forces. Neglect air resistance. Diagram the forces acting on the book. See answer.  
• A rightward force is applied to a book in order to move it across a desk at constant velocity. Consider frictional forces. Neglect air resistance. Diagram the forces acting on the book. See answer.  
• A college student rests a backpack upon his shoulder. The pack is suspended motionless by one strap from one shoulder. Diagram the vertical forces acting on the backpack. See answer.  
• A skydiver is descending with a constant velocity. Consider air resistance. Diagram the forces acting upon the skydiver. See answer.  
• A force is applied to the right to drag a sled across loosely packed snow with a rightward acceleration. Neglect air resistance. Diagram the forces acting upon the sled. See answer.  
• A football is moving upwards towards its peak after having been booted by the punter. Neglect air resistance. Diagram the forces acting upon the football as it rises upward towards its peak. See answer.  
• A car is coasting to the right and slowing down. Neglect air resistance. Diagram the forces acting upon the car. See answer.

Answers to the above exercise are shown here. If you have difficulty drawing free-body diagrams, then you ought to be concerned. Continue to review the the list of forces and their description and this page in order to gain a comfort with constructing free-body diagrams.

1. A book is at rest on a tabletop. A free-body diagram for this situation looks like this:

Return to Questions

Return to Info on Free-body diagrams

Return to on-line Force Description List

2. A gymnast holding onto a bar, is suspended motionless in mid-air. The bar is supported by two ropes that attach to the ceiling. Diagram the forces acting on the combination of gymnast and bar. A free-body diagram for this situation looks like this:

3. An egg is free-falling from a nest in a tree. Neglect air resistance. A free-body diagram for this situation looks like this:

4. A flying squirrel is gliding (no wing flaps ) from a tree to the ground at constant velocity. Consider air resistance. A free-body diagram for this situation looks like this:

5. A rightward force is applied to a book in order to move it across a desk with a rightward acceleration. Consider frictional forces. Neglect air resistance. A free-body diagram for this situation looks like this:

6. A rightward force is applied to a book in order to move it across a desk at constant velocity. Consider frictional forces. Neglect air resistance. A free-body diagram for this situation looks like this:

7. A college student rests a backpack upon his shoulder. The pack is suspended motionless by one strap from one shoulder. A free-body diagram for this situation looks like this:

8. A skydiver is descending with a constant velocity. Consider air resistance. A free-body diagram for this situation looks like this:

9. A force is applied to the right to drag a sled across loosely packed snow with a rightward acceleration. Neglect air resistance. A free-body diagram for this situation looks like this:

10. A football is moving upwards towards its peak after having been booted by the punter. Neglect air resistance. A free-body diagram for this situation looks like this:

11. A car is coasting to the right and slowing down. Neglect air resistance. A free-body diagram for this situation looks like this:

Return to on-line Force Description List