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General Physics 1
 Free-Body Diagrams
Free-Body Diagrams
and
and Types of Forces
Types of Forces
Free Body Diagrams

A free body diagram is a vector diagram that shows all the forces which act on
the body whose motion is being studied.

 It is generally customary in a free-body diagram to represent

the object by a box and to draw the force arrow from the
center of the box outward in the direction that the force is
acting.

 The size of the arrow in a free-body diagram reflects the

magnitude of the force.

 The direction of the arrow shows the direction that the force
is acting. 

 Each force arrow in the diagram is labeled to indicate the 𝐅  𝐟

exact type of force.
Types of Forces
Types of Forces

An applied force is a force that

 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐹 𝑎𝑝𝑝 is applied to an object by a
person or another object. 

The force of gravity is the force

with which the earth, moon, or
𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲
  𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐹 𝑔 other massively large object
attracts another object towards
 𝑭 𝒈=𝒘 =𝒎𝒈 itself. By definition, this is the
weight of the object.
Types of Forces

The normal force is the support force

exerted upon an object that is in
 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐹 𝑁 contact with another stable object. The
normal force is always perpendicular
to the surface.

The friction force is the force

exerted by a surface as an object
 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐹 𝑓
moves across it or makes an effort
to move across it.

Ffrict = µ • Fnorm
Types of Forces
The air resistance is a special
type of frictional force that acts
upon objects as they travel
 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐹 𝑎𝑖𝑟
through the air. The force of air
resistance is often observed to
oppose the motion of an object.

The tension force is the force that is

transmitted through a string, rope,
cable or wire when it is pulled tight
𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
  𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐹 𝑇 by forces acting from opposite ends.
The tension force is directed along
the length of the wire and pulls
equally on the objects on the
opposite ends of the wire.
Types of Forces

𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠
  𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐹 𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔
The spring force is the force exerted by a
compressed or stretched spring upon any object
that is attached to it. An object that compresses
or stretches a spring is always acted upon by a
force that restores the object to its rest or
equilibrium position.

The magnitude of the force is directly

proportional to the amount of stretch or
compression of the spring.
Check point 1 2 3 4 5

Apply the method described in the paragraph above to construct free-body

diagrams for the various situations described below.
1. A book is at rest on a tabletop. Diagram the forces acting on the book

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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

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. Diagram
the forces acting on the book.
Check point (cont..) 6 7 8 9 10

1. 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.

7. 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.

8. A skydiver is descending with a constant velocity. Consider air resistance. Diagram

the forces acting upon the skydiver.

9. 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

10.A car is coasting to the right and slowing down. Neglect air resistance. Diagram the
forces acting upon the car
Resolving Forces into Components

Angle is referred to the x-axis Angle is referred to the y-axis

𝐴  𝑥

𝐴 
𝐴  𝑦 𝐴  𝑦
𝜃  𝐴 
𝜃 
𝐴  𝑥

  Ay   Ax
sin θ=  A sin θ=  A x =  A sin θ
A y  =  A sin θ A

  Ax   Ay
cos θ=  A x =  A cos θ cos θ=  A  =  A cosθ
A A y

sign of components is based on which quadrant the vectors are located

Illustration
1. A 60-Newton tension force acts upward and  2. A
car is moving 5 m/s at west of
rightward on Fido at an angle of 40 degrees south. How fast is it moving south?
above horizontal, determine the components of Howfast is it moving west?
this force using trigonometric functions.

T  =60  N

40
  ° 𝑇  y
40
  ° 𝑇  y
V    = 5  m / s  
T  x 3  0 °

T  x
T
  x =  T cos θ T  y =  T s in θ
V
  x =  − V s inθ V
  y = − V cosθ
T
  x =  60 cos 40 ° T  y = 60 sin 40°
V
  x =  −5 s in 30 ° V
  y = −5 cos30 °
T
  x   ≈ 46  N T
  y = 38.6  N
V
  x = −2.5  m / 𝒔 V
  y = −4.3  m/𝒔
Practice Problem

 1. Find the vertical and horizontal components of the following forces.
a. 50 N, directed above horizontal. F  x   = 50 cos 50 °  ≈ 32.1  N F  y   = 50sin 50 °  ≈ 38.3  N
b. 30 N, directed west. F  x   = −30  N F  y   = 0 
c. 100 lb., directed south west F  x   = −100 cos 45 °  ≈ 70.7  N F  y   = −100sin 45 ° ≈ −70.7  N
d. 50 N, directed north. F  x   = 0  F  y   = 50  N  
e. 50 N, directed east of north F  x   = 50 sin 3 0 °  ≈ 25  N F  y   = 50cos 3 0 °  ≈ 43.3  N
f. 10 N, directed south east F  x   = 10 cos 3 0 °  ≈ 8.7  N F  y   = −10sin 3 0 °  ≈ −5  N

2. A woman pushes a lawn mower with a force of 80N. If the handle of lawn mower is
above the horizontal, how much downward force is being exerted on the ground.?
80
  𝑁
F  y   = 80sin 4 0 °   F  y   = 51.4  N  
40°
 
3. An airplane whose velocity is has just take off form a runway. A car driving at on the runway is able to
remain just below the airplane. At what angle is the airplane climbing.?
120
  𝑘𝑝h
100 = 120 cos θ    θ  =  100
cos   −1  100
θ   ≈ 33.6 °
  120 θ  =  cos
𝜃  100
  𝑘𝑝h 120
Break Time
Class Resume at 4 PM
Equilibrium
 Objects in Equilibrium
 • Objects that are either at rest or moving with constant
velocity are said to be in equilibrium.

• Statics equilibrium is a state where bodies at rest, while

dynamic equilibrium is where bodies are moving at a
constant velocity.

• The principle of equilibrium is used to determine the

resultant on concurrent (parallel) and non-concurrent (non-
parallel) system of forces.

• Because , Newtons second law applied to an object in

equilibrium gives

This statement signifies that the vector sum of all forces (net force)
acting on an object in an equilibrium is zero. Consequently

and
 Solved Problem 1
 A box is suspended from two ropes that each makes an angle of with the
vertical. Find the tension in each rope.

30° 30°  
∑ Fx  = 0 ∑ Fy   = 0
 

T  1 T
  2  
 
T  1 sin   60 ° + T2 sin   6 0 °  −   W  = 0 
w
  = 100  N −  T1 cos  6 0 °  + T2 cos  60°  = 0 
Substitute
 

T  1 T T  2 cos   60 ° =   T1 cos   6 0°     T  1 sin   60 °  + T 1 sin   60°  −  100 N  = 0 

  2
cos
    6 0°   cos     6 0°  
  N
60° 60°
T
  2  =   T 1 100 N
T  1  = 
2  sin  60 °

w
  = 100  N
T  1   ≈  5 7 .7  N T  2   ≈   5 7.7  N
 Solved Problem 2
 Aload of unknown weight is suspended from the end of a horizontal boom whose
own weight is negligible. The angle between the boom and the cable supporting its
end is and the tension in the cable is . Find the weight of the load.
𝑇  =400 𝑁
T = 400 N
∑ Fy   = 0
 

30
  °
T  y   −  w   = 0
30
  °
T    sin  30°  −  W   = 0

400 
  sin  3 0 °   =  W
W =?

𝑾=?
 
  N
 Solved Problem 3
An object is suspended on a frictionless inclined plane by a rope parallel to the incline
as shown. If the angle of the incline is 25o and the tension in the rope is 5000 N, what is
the weight of the object? F  n

 F n
T  =  5000  N ∑ Fx  = 0
 

T  =  5000  N T
    −    W x  = 0

65°
5000N - W cos 65° = 0
25°
25°
W 5000N = W cos 65°
   = ?

W
   = ?    =   5000 N
W
cos   6 5 °

W
   = 11,831 N weight of the object
Solved Problem 4
A  675 N object is pulled horizontally by a force of 400 N as shown. What is the angle
between the rope and the vertical?
Ʃ
    Fx  =  0 F  a  −  T x  = 0 Equating the two tensions (T)

𝛼  4  00 N   −   T cos  θ   =   0
675
  N  = 4 0 0 N 675
  =  tan   𝜃
  s in θ cosθ 400

4  00 N   =   T cos  θ   −1 675
θ    =   tan ( )
675
  N   =  sin θ 400
675 N 400N 400 N cos θ
T  T  =
cos𝜽 θ   ≈ 59 . 35 °

 Solving angle
𝛼  Ʃ  Fy   =   0   Ty  −  W= 0
F  a  = 400 N α   +  θ  = 90 °
𝜃 
  T sin α   = 90 °  − θ
T    sin θ  = 675 N α   = 90 °  − 59.3 5 °
675 N
T   =  α   = 30.6 °
W sin θ
   = 675  N
Solved Problem 5
A traffic light weighing 100 N hangs from a vertical cable tied to two other cables that are
fastened to a support, as in Figure. The upper cables make angles of 37.0 and 53.0 with the
horizontal. Find the tension in each of the three cables.

Free body on the three tensions

Ʃ  Fy   =  0
T  1
T  3   −   Fg   =  0 T
  2

T
  3  =   Fg 37
  ° 53
  °

The
  weight or force of gravity on the
stoplight is equal to the tension T
 3

W
   =   Fg  =  T3
 Solved Problem 5
A traffic light weighing 100 N hangs from a vertical cable tied to two other cablesT that are
fastened to a support, as in Figure. The upper cables make angles of 37.0 and 53.0 with the
horizontal. Find the tension in each of the three cables.

Free body on the three tensions

∑ Fx  = 0
 
∑ Fy  = 0
 

T  1 − 
  T 1x  + T 2x   = 0 T
 
1 y   +  T2 y − T 3 = 0
T
  2
−  T1 cos37 °  +   T 2 cos 53 °   = 0 T  1 sin  37 °  +   T 2 sin 53 °  − 100  N  = 0

37
  ° 53
  ° T  1 sin  37 °  + ( 1.33  T1   )  ( sin 53° )− 100  N  = 0
T  2 cos 53 ° =  T 1 cos 37 °  
0.6
  T 1   + 1.06  T1   − 100 N =0
T  3 T1   cos 37 °  
T  2  =  1.66
cos 53 °   T 1  =  100 N

T  1  =
100 N T  2  = 1.33 (60.2  N )
T  2  = 1.33  T1 1.66

T  1   ≈ 60.2  N T
  2  = 80  N  
TRANSLATIONAL EQUILIBRIUM WORKSHEET
Torque

 The torque (Greek letter tau) exerted by a force on

a body is a measure of its effectiveness in turning the
body about a certain pivot point.
Torque

The torque is the product of force A torque that tends to cause a

applied (perpendicular to the moment clockwise rotation is negative; a
arm) and the distance about a pivot O. torque that tends to cause a counter-
clockwise rotation is considered
positive.

−  𝝉

+𝝉
 

Torque = Force x Moment arm Torque – Moment of Force

 The S.I. unit of torque is the newton-meter ; in the British system, it is the pound-foot (
Illustration Torque

 1. Calculate
the torque produced by a 75-N perpendicular force at the end of a
long wrench
𝟕𝟓
  𝑵
F  = 75  N  
τ  =   − 15  N − m
L
  = 0.2  m τ  = 75  N   ×  0.2  m
𝟎  . 𝟐𝒎

2. If the torque required to loosen a nut on the wheel of a car has a magnitude of
40.0 N-m, what minimum force must be exerted by a mechanic at the end of a 0.30-m
wrench to loosen the nut?
F  = 40  N− m   / 0.3 m
τ  = 40  N− m  

F  =  τ / L F   ≈ 133.3  N
L
  = 0.3  m
Illustration Torque

Calculate the torque shown on the figure below

 
F 

τ  =  0  N− m
 

The torque produced is zero because there is no

τ  =  50   N  ( sin  30° )× 1 m
force that acts perpendicularly to the moment arm.

τ  =  −   25  N − m
 Practice Problem
1. Calculate the torque on each

𝑒.
𝑐 .  
𝑑.
a.
𝑏.
   
 

+𝟑𝟎𝟎
  𝑵𝒎 −𝟓
  𝑵𝒎 −𝟐𝟑𝟏
  𝑵𝒎
𝟏𝟑𝟖
  𝑵𝒎
+𝟔𝟎
  𝑵𝒎

2. What is the total (net) torque around O? 3. What is the total (net) torque around point A?
 

τ   =    115.4  Nm

τ   = 200× 3.5 = 700  Nm
Net
    Torque  = − 60  Nm  − 122.5  Nm  − 92.32  Nm  = −274.82  Nm
 What is the total (net) torque around point A?

36.9
  ° 67.4
  °

tan
  𝜃=3 /4

−1 3 𝜃=67.4 °
 
𝜃=𝑡𝑎𝑛 ( )
4  𝜏 =100 𝑁 ¿ tan
  𝜃=12/ 5
 
𝜏  =70 𝑁 ×1.75 𝑚   − 1 12

𝜃=36.9°
  𝜏  =−60 𝑁 − 𝑚 𝜏  =−122.5 𝑁 − 𝑚
𝜃=𝑡𝑎𝑛 ( )
5

  𝜏 =50 𝑁 ¿

𝜏  =− 92.32 𝑁 − 𝑚
 𝑵𝒆𝒕 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒒𝒖𝒆=−𝟔𝟎 −𝟏𝟐𝟐 .𝟓 − 𝟗𝟐 .𝟑𝟐=−𝟐𝟕𝟒 .𝟖𝟐 𝑵𝒎
 Break Time
Class Resume at 4:00 PM
Rotational Equilibrium

 • A body is rotational equilibrium when no

net torque acts on it.

• A body in rotational equilibrium is either

remain in its initial rotational state, either
not spinning at all or sinning at constant
rate.

• The condition for the rotational equilibrium

of a body is where refers to the sum of the
torques acting on the body at any point.
 Illustration Rotational Equilibrium

  ∑ τ= 0
 
What must be the value of m so it balances?

τ  1   +  τ 2 = 0
𝟑𝟕
  .𝟓 𝒄𝒎   cm
(m × 37.5 ) - (1 × 50) = 0
Axis of rotation (pivot)
37.5 m - 50 = 0

37.5 m = 50
𝜏 1 𝜏 2
 m  =  50
37.5

m
   = 1.33  kg
 Illustration Rotational Equilibrium

 A beam long has a weight of 200 N at one end and another weight of 80 N at the
other end. The weight of the beam itself is negligible. Find the balance point of
the beam.
  ∑ τ = 0
 

0.86
  𝑚 2.14
  𝑚
τ  1   +  τ 2 = 0
(  w1   ∙  x ) −    W 2   (3 −  x  ) = 0

(  200 ∙   x ) − 80 (3 −  x  ) = 0

200
  x  − 240 + 80 x   = 0

280
  x  − 240 = 0
280
  x  = 240 
240
x   =  x   ≈ 0.86  m
280
 Illustration Rotational Equilibrium

1. A 4-m wooden platform weighing 160 N is suspended

from the roof of a house by ropes attached to its ends. A
The
   system  has  two  axis  of  rotations , at  T1  and  at  T2   
painter weighing 640 N stands 1.2 m from the left end of
the platform. Find the tension in each ropes axis
    of   rotation , at   T 1
− 6
  40 N   ( 1.2 m )  − 160 N   ( 2 m )   +  T2   ( 4 m )  = 0

− 7
  6 8  N − m  − 320  N − m  +  T2   ( 4 m )  = 0
𝑇  1 𝑇  2
1.2
  𝑚 − 1088 
  N− m  +  T 2   ( 4 m )   = 0
4  𝑚
T  2   ( 4 m )   = 1088   N − m  

1088  N − m
𝑊
  2=640 𝑁 T  2  = 
4  m
𝑊
  1=160 𝑁
T  2  = 272  N
 Illustration Rotational Equilibrium

1. A 4-m wooden platform weighing 160 N is suspended

from the roof of a house by ropes attached to its ends. A
painter weighing 640 N stands 1.2 m from the left end of
the platform. Find the tension in each ropes axis
    of   rotation , at   T 2

160
  N   ( 2 m )  +  640 N   ( 2. 8 m ) −   T1   ( 4 m )   = 0

320 
  N− m  + 1792  N − m  −  T1   ( 4 m )  = 0
𝑇  1 𝑇  2
1.2 2112  N − m  −  T1   ( 4 m )  = 0
  𝑚  
4  𝑚
T  1   ( 4 m )   = 2112  N − m  

2112  N− m
𝑊
  2=640 𝑁 T  1  = 
4  m
𝑊
  1=160 𝑁
T  2  = 528  N
Worksheet
 2. The front wheels of a truck support , and its rear
1. The two torque cancel… What must F be?
wheels support The axels are apart. Where is the
center of gravity of the truck located

3. A uniform horizontal beam 5.00 m long and weighing 3.00

102 N is attached to a wall by a pin connection that allows the
beam to rotate. Its far end is supported by a cable that makes
an angle of 53.0 with the horizontal (Fig. 8.12a, page 238). If a
person weighing 6.00 102 N stands 1.50 m from the wall, fi nd
the magnitude of the tension T S in the cable.