What is the Direction of Force in a Falling Object's Free-Body Diagram?

In summary, a 40kg person falling at the speed of gravity, 9.8m/s^2, experiences a force of -392N due to gravity. The direction of the force and the direction of the person's movement may not always align.
  • #1
Ascendant78
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Homework Statement



A 40kg person is falling at the speed of gravity, 9.8m/s^2. Wind resistance is not considered. On your free-body diagram, the direction they are falling (ground) is in the negative direction, hence gravity is causing an acceleration in the negative.

Homework Equations



F(gravity) = (40)(-9.8)
F(gravity) = -392N

The Attempt at a Solution



I am simply curious when solving a problem such as this, would N be a -392N since it is traveling in the negative on the free-body diagram, or is it seen a magnitude and considered a positive number?
 
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  • #2
Ascendant78 said:
I am simply curious when solving a problem such as this, would N be a -392N since it is traveling in the negative on the free-body diagram, or is it seen a magnitude and considered a positive number?

Force is a vector therefore it has a direction. Also the direction of the movement of the object and the direction of the force do not have to me the same. For example a ball going up after you throw it moves up but the force acting on it is downward.
 
  • #3
Thank you.
 

Related to What is the Direction of Force in a Falling Object's Free-Body Diagram?

1. What is a force in a dynamic problem?

A force in a dynamic problem is a push or pull that can cause an object to accelerate or change its motion. It is often represented by a vector, which has both magnitude and direction.

2. How do forces affect objects in a dynamic problem?

Forces can cause objects to change their motion, either by accelerating or decelerating. The direction and magnitude of the force determine how the object will move.

3. What is the difference between a contact and a non-contact force?

A contact force is a force that requires physical contact between two objects, while a non-contact force can act from a distance without physical contact. Examples of contact forces include friction and normal force, while examples of non-contact forces include gravity and magnetic force.

4. How do you calculate the net force in a dynamic problem?

The net force is the sum of all the forces acting on an object. To calculate it, you must first determine all the individual forces acting on the object and their directions. Then, you can use vector addition to find the net force.

5. How do forces affect an object's motion in a dynamic problem?

According to Newton's Second Law, the net force acting on an object is directly proportional to its acceleration. This means that the greater the net force, the greater the acceleration, and the object will change its motion accordingly.

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