What is Free body: Definition and 288 Discussions

The term free body is usually associated with the motion of a free body diagram, a pictorial device used by physicists and engineers. In that context, a body is said to be "free" when it is singled out from other bodies for the purposes of dynamic or static analysis. The object does not have to be "free" in the sense of being unforced, and it may or may not be in a state of equilibrium; rather, it is not fixed in place and is thus "free" to move in response to forces and torques it may experience.

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  1. S

    Understanding the Motion: Free Body Diagram of Ruler Pulling to the Right

    Anyone know why the big wheele spins counter clockwise in thsi video? Can anyone draw me a free body diagram of what's going on when the ruler is pulled to the right? thankyou
  2. D

    [Check for errors]- FREE BODY DIAGRAM for 2 Cylinders.

    Ok as you seen I been trying to get familiar with a few different type of exercises, this is a FBD type exercise. I attached the picture showing the exercise done, I just want you to check if you notice any errors, thanks you. Homework Statement Cylinder A- Mass 75kg and...
  3. S

    Understanding Free Body Diagrams: How to Determine Angle Placement?

    So I'm a little confused about free body diagrams. I understand the concept, but when it comes to drawing, how do you know where the angle goes? I don't know if this is obvious, but physics is not really my cup of tea... Thanks in advance.
  4. K

    Centripetal Force and free body diagram

    Homework Statement a. Draw a free body diagram for mass Mb while in motion (fig. 2a). Identify the centripetal force. assume that the mass hangs vertically b. Calculate the magnitude of the force exerted by the spring on mass Mb = 402g, moving in a circle of radius r=18cm (fig. 2a). The...
  5. C

    Drawing a free body diagram problem

    Homework Statement A 4.80 kg bucket of water is accelerated upward by a cord of negligible mass whose breaking strength is 86.0 N. Draw the free-body force diagram for the bucket. Draw the force vectors with their tails at the dot. The orientation of your vectors will be graded. The...
  6. J

    Draw free body diagramm of all forces acting on skier

    Homework Statement A skier of mass m is skiing down a frictionless slope. the skier starts form rest at t = 0 and is subject to a velocity dependant drag force due to air resistance of the form F = -bv, where b is a constant. a)draw free body diagramm of all forces acting on skier b)...
  7. I

    Free body diagram Incline Problem

    Problem: Block 1 is 7kg and is resting on a table with friction. Block 2.5kg is connected by a massless cord and is hanging over the side of the table. ( assume there is no friction on the cord where it goes over the side of the table.) The two masses are stationary but on the verge of...
  8. G

    Free body diagrams and adding forces

    Homework Statement In each of the two free-body diagrams, the forces are acting on a 2.6 kg object. For each diagram, find the values of ax and ay, the x- and y-components of the acceleration, with F1 = 5 N and F2 = 3 N. Picture is attached. (a) Diagram A ax =____ m/s2 ay =____ m/s2 (b)...
  9. S

    How Is Force Calculated in Trigonometric Free Body Diagrams?

    Homework Statement a person is exerting 300 Newton force on the handle of a shovel that makes an angle of 60 deg with the horizontal ground. the component of the 300 newtion force that acts perpendicular to the ground is apporximately what? possible answers+ 350N 150N 260N 300N Homework...
  10. J

    Need Help Drawing a Free Body Diagram

    Homework Statement A 1000kg car pushed a 2000kg truck. When the driver steps on the accelerator, the drive wheels of the car push against the ground with a force of 4500 N. What is the magnitude of the force of the car on the truck? What is the magnitude of the truck on the car...
  11. C

    Free Body Diagrams for hockey puck

    Homework Statement A hockey puck slides along a horizontal, smooth icy surface at a constant velocity as shown. (Part A figure) Which of the following forces act on the puck? Okay, for this the choices are (list check all that apply) force of velocity x air drag...
  12. M

    Free Body diagram & reaction force

    Homework Statement This is just a little part to a bigger problem I am having trouble with. I have simplified it to get to the point. In the free body diagram shown, I would like to find the value of the horizontal reaction force (RH) applied to the wheel from the surface, assuming there is...
  13. M

    Mastering Free Body Diagrams: Tips and Tricks for Difficult Homework Problems

    Homework Statement Here is pictures of some of the mechanisms I draw the free body diagrams for Homework Equations EF= 0 EM= 0 The Attempt at a Solution I am not sure how to even begin on the first problem other than drawing the force from the hand of 400 N.
  14. P

    Free Body Diagram Probelm Help

    Homework Statement 26. A box weighing 85 N rests on a table. A rope tied to the box runs vertically upward over a pully and a weight is hung form the other end. Detrmine the force that the table exerts on the box if the weight hanging on the other side of the pully weighs (a) 30 N, (b) 60...
  15. N

    Help with drawing a free body diagram

    Homework Statement http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=795802024/PictureID=21345511024/a=938016024_938016024 http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=795802024/PictureID=21338820024/a=938016024_938016024 or you can download the attachment. Any help would be greatly...
  16. K

    Newton's third law and free body diagrams

    Homework Statement "Three blocks (m1, m2 and m3) are in contact with each other on a frictionless, horizontal surface. A horizontal force is applied to m1. http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y111/kathy_felldown/sb-pic0556.png What is the net force on block 1? " When drawing free body...
  17. M

    Free Body Diagram, Newton's 3rd

    [SOLVED] Free Body Diagram, Newton's 3rd SOLVED Homework Statement A 1200 kg car pushes a 2000 kg truck that has a dead battery. When the driver steps on the accelerator, the drive wheels of the car push against the ground with a force of 4700 N. (a) What is the magnitude of...
  18. O

    Free Body Diagram tension help

    Homework Statement Homework Equations I already got the right answer in the book. The only issue I have is drawing the free body diagram which it doesn't show. I'm not sure how to include the tension of the bottom-most string into the first diagram. The Attempt at a Solution Its meant to...
  19. U

    Free Body Diagram: Ax & Ay Direction Matters?

    hey, i just want a confirm if this is correct. imagine a built-in or a fixed bar in the side of a wall. when drawing a free body diagram for the point where the wall and the bar are fixed there should be forces in both x and y and a moment of force. if we label the x and y forces on the bar...
  20. O

    Free Body Diagram Help | Physics Homework Problem | Equilibrium Explanation

    Homework Statement Well the problem I have with physics is the free body diagrams. The book gives examples of those easy ones where a book slides across the table and such. This problem has me kind of confused on how to draw it. You guys can go to this link for the problem...
  21. D

    How Do You Effectively Apply Free Body Diagrams in AP Physics Problems?

    Hey everyone hows it going? I am not sure if this is the right place to be posting this question, but hopefully it is. My names Shawn and I am a senior in high school. I currently have AP calculus and gen physics, and I plan on taking the AP calculus test (ab) and hopefully the physics AP test...
  22. W

    Free body diagram for a bag of coins suspended by an elastic band

    Homework Statement Draw a free body diagram showing all the forces on the elastic band, and a free body diagram showing all the forces on the bag of coins Homework Equations F=-kx F=mg The Attempt at a Solution I drew the forces on the elastic band as T = mg (m = mass of coins...
  23. T

    Drawing Free Body Diagrams for rope tension

    Homework Statement A man of mass 64.2 kg stands on a scaffold supported by a vertical rope at each end. The scaffold has a mass of 23.2 kg and is 3.2 m long. Suppose the man stands to the right from the middle of the scaffold that is a distance one sixth of the length of the scaffold. What is...
  24. J

    Is my Free Body Diagram and Approach Correct for Finding Vertical Force on Tank?

    Im working on the problem below and trying to figure out if I have the right approach. I am checing to see if my free body diagram is correct. Also if finding the vertical force exerted on the bottom of the tank is just the differenence of the bouyant force and wieght of the cylinder as showin...
  25. P

    50 88lbs Plasma TV mount on Stand - Free Body Diagram

    50" 88lbs Plasma TV mount on Stand - Free Body Diagram Hi, I am building a customized stand for my palsma tv. I already have the base, made of 2" square iron tubes. I am about to design the mount for the screws, but I was wondering what forces should I consider for this. The base is in...
  26. P

    How Do You Draw a Free Body Diagram for a Box and Truck in Motion?

    1. Homework Statement A large box containing your new computer sits on the bed of your pickup truck. You are stopped at a red light. The light turns green and you stomp on the gas and the truck accelerates. To your horror, the box starts to slide toward the back of the truck. (Assume that...
  27. L

    Solving for Net Force and Acceleration: Free Body Diagram Help

    1. Probem Suppose a couch with a mass of 75 kg was resting on a frictionless floor. Roy wants to move the couch to the other side of the room so he pushes it with a force of 30 N for 5.0 seconds. a) Make a free body diagram of the couch. b) Find the net force on the couch. c) Find the...
  28. F

    Free Body Diagram: True or False?

    Homework Statement A free-body diagram is: A picture of the object. (True/False) A diagram that contains all the forces that the object exerts on other objects. (True/False) A diagram that contains all the forces acting on the object. (True/False) Homework Equations The...
  29. S

    Water in the Bucket: Free Body Diagram? (Vertical Centripetal Force)

    Water in the Bucket: Free Body Diagram?? (Vertical Centripetal Force) Homework Statement If a bucket tied to a rope is revolving vertically in an counter clockwise direction, what would be the Free Body Diagram of "water" in the bucket at the top position? Homework Equations There...
  30. F

    Free Body Diagram for a Baseball Hit by a Bat

    I am having problems with a couple of homework questions. IF anyone can help out that would be great. Homework Statement Neglect air resistance in this problem. Mark all that apply when answering each question. Which forces should be included in the free body diagram for a baseball at...
  31. J

    Free body diagram, inclined plane, and finding V from x vs t graph

    Homework Statement Draw and label the free body diagram of a block on a plane inclined 30 degrees from the horizontal. There is friction and the block is stationary. The magnitues of the vectors must be correctly scaled and the directions correct. And then my other question is how to find...
  32. B

    Physics Free Body Diagram Question

    Question: Draw and label the free body diagram of a block on a plane inclined 30Efrom the horizontal. .There is friction and the block is stationary The magnitudes of the vectors must be correctly scaled and the directions correct. 3. The Attempt at a Solution Draw 30 degree angle...
  33. E

    Is This Free Body Diagram of a Pendulum Correct?

    Homework Statement I am asked to draw a free body diagram of a pendulum and a bob with it's maximum amplitude of 30 degrees. Below is my attempt, I just forgot to say that theta is equal to 30 degrees, other than that is it right?Homework Equations noneThe Attempt at a Solution attached as a...
  34. E

    Learn How to Create Accurate Free Body Diagrams | Step-by-Step Tutorial

    Homework Statement http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/2760/picture1uw7.png http://g.imageshack.us/img384/picture1uw7.png/1/ I'm trying to setup a free body diagram for this problem, and I'm not even sure where to start with the angles. That is basically my question, when do I use cos and...
  35. T

    Screwed joint - free body diagram

    Homework Statement I have a square beam with a screwed joint at each end. I am trying to determine deflection under a uniformly distributed load. Homework Equations - What is a simplified form for the screwed joint? Is it to be assumed fixed at both ends? The Attempt at a...
  36. B

    Kinetic friction free body diagram

    A Physics 1AL student uses a force P of magnitude 80 N and angle θ = 70 (with respect to the horizontal) to push a 5.0 kg block across the ceiling of her room. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the ceiling is 0.40. a) Draw a free body diagram of the system. b) What...
  37. D

    Free body diagram (centripetal force)

    Homework Statement simple question really - how do you draw the free body diagram for a car going around a corner? Homework Equations n/a The Attempt at a Solution i know the net force, the centripetal force, points towards the middle. i have an engine force pointing tangentally...
  38. J

    Free Body Diagrams & 3rd law pair forces.

    Homework Statement I have 2 questions from a practice test paper that I can't do (I missed the lessons) - I've attached them, the other questions I did fine. They should be quite basic but I'm not sure if what I'm doing is right (only done physics for 2 weeks). If anyone could correct my...
  39. H

    How Does Rolling Affect the Free Body Diagram in Different Frames of Reference?

    lets say there is ball inside a bus that is accelerating. When the bus accelerates, the ball dosent slip or move, due to strong static friction. so in Earths frame of reference, the only forces are the mg and Normal force. in the bus's frame of reference, there is a fictious force pushing the...
  40. D

    Free body diagram of hanging pot

    Homework Statement A hanging potted plant is suspended by a cord from a hook in the ceiling. Draw a free body diagram for each of these: (a) the system consisting of plant, soil, and pot; (b) the cord; (c) the hook. Homework Equations None. The Attempt at a Solution I'm not sure...
  41. H

    Free Body Diagrams/Equilibrium

    Homework Statement The movable bracket shown may be placed at any height on the 50-mm-diameter pipe. If the coefficient of static friction between the pipe and bracket is 0.30, determine the minimum distance x at which the load P can be supported. Assume that the bracket is weightless...
  42. D

    Free body mechanics problem

    the acceleration of the larger block of mass M on frictionless floor of the pully system as in (fig given bmp attachment) will be (i) 4mg/(M+17m) (ii) 4mg/(M+16m) which answer is correct and how?
  43. P

    Free Body Diagrams - Finding Acceleration, and tension

    Homework Statement Three blocks, of masses m1 =26 kg, m2 = 38 kg, and m3 = 41 kg, are connected by two strings over two pulleys, as in the given attachment. Friction is negligible. Determine (a) the magnitude of the acceleration of the blocks and (b) the magnitude of the tension in each of the...
  44. P

    Two blocks and a spring and Free Body Diagrams

    Homework Statement 20: Two boxes are sitting on top of one another. The top box has a mass of 5kg and is connected to the wall by an unstretched spring, k=2000N/m. The bottom box is 10kg. the static friction coefficient between the 2 boxes is 0.5, the kinetic friction coefficient between the...
  45. P

    Free Body Diagram of a Fish Swimming

    I have this project to do; it's of a free body diagram of a swimming fish. But I can't seem to find any good sites that give much info about a fish swimming. All the sites come up as a fish out of water, or a person swimming. Does anyone know sites that may help, or the forces that act on the...
  46. D

    Free Body Diagram Homework: Forces to Consider

    Homework Statement When drawing a freebody diagram for just an elevator, not the people in it, what are all the forces that we have to consider? I just used Fg down and Ft up, but because it is accelerating up, I made Ft greater.
  47. manjuvenamma

    Why is free body diagram named as such?

    Let us consider a lift which is moving with a constant acceleration with a man inside. Now we know that the man exerts a force which is different from his weight depending on the direction of the movement. Now, when we consider the free body diagram of the lift do we take into consideration...
  48. K

    Visualizing Free body diagrams?

    Visualizing Free body diagrams? solved, thanks tiny-tim and doc Al! I ran into a problem in my HW, I found the answer but I just have a hard time seeing as to WHY my answer is correct. http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t288/Kyin1/1-6.jpg Thats the problem and my FBD is for block B. My...
  49. S

    Roller coaster free body diagrams

    Homework Statement so I am a 8th grader and i got a homework asignment to draw free body diagrams of a roller coaster on inclines, straight aways and bottom of the hill. we didnt learn about physics yet so here's the question - draw and label free body diagrams for the coaster car on...
  50. M

    Solve Free Body Diagrams: Tension, Gravitational, Equations

    Homework Statement http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/7172/testiiifo2.jpg Here is an image of the problem (taken from a practice test.) Homework Equations F=ma The Attempt at a Solution I drew the free body diagrams for each, but I have no idea what the equation would be. I...
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