Free Body Diagram Physics Example 1

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Example 1

easy
A 10 kg10 \text{ kg} box rests on a flat surface. Draw and label all forces in the free-body diagram. What are their magnitudes? Use g=9.8 m/s2g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2.

Solution

  1. 1
    Identify all forces acting on the box: weight (gravity) pulling downward and normal force pushing upward.
  2. 2
    Weight: W=mg=10×9.8=98 NW = mg = 10 \times 9.8 = 98 \text{ N} downward.
  3. 3
    Since the box is in equilibrium, the normal force equals the weight: N=98 NN = 98 \text{ N} upward.

Answer

W=98 N downward,N=98 N upwardW = 98 \text{ N downward}, \quad N = 98 \text{ N upward}
A free-body diagram shows all forces acting on a single object as arrows from the object's center. For a stationary object on a flat surface, the only forces are weight and normal force, which must balance.

About Free Body Diagram

A simplified diagram that isolates a single object and represents all external forces acting on it as labelled arrows originating from the object's centre of.

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More Free Body Diagram Examples

Example 2 medium

A [formula] block is pulled across a rough surface ([formula]) by a [formula] horizontal force. List

Example 3 medium

A [formula] block slides down a frictionless ramp inclined at [formula]. Identify all forces in the

Example 4 hard

A [formula] block hangs from two ropes: one horizontal (attached to a wall) and one at [formula] abo

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