Question

What is a free body diagram?

Answer 1

1. A free-body diagram is a graphic, dematerialized, symbolic representation of the body.
2. In a free diagram, the size of the arrow denotes the magnitude of the force.
3. While the direction of the arrow denotes the direction in which the force acts.
4. A free body diagram consists of a simplified version of the body, coordinate system, etc.
5. Free body diagrams are tools used to visualize force and moments applied to the body.
6. Example A bottle is pushing horizontally on a tabletop.
   
7. According to the diagram, the body is moving downward.
8. The frictional force ${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{friction}}$ is directed in the opposite direction of the motion (${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{app}}$ or applied force).
9. The normal force(${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{norm}}$) is directed normally to the plane of motion.
10. ${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{grav}}$ is the weight or force due to gravity.