FBDs & Net Force

These flashcards cover key concepts related to Free Body Diagrams and net force, including definitions and principles of force balance, acceleration, and Newton's laws.

What is the net force acting on an object?

The net force is the vector sum of all the forces that act upon an object.

What indicates that forces are balanced?

When the net force equals 0 N, the forces are of equal magnitude and in opposite directions.

What occurs when forces are unbalanced?

An unbalanced force causes an object to accelerate, resulting in speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction.

What do free-body diagrams represent?

Free-body diagrams show the relative magnitude and direction of all forces acting upon an object.

What is Newton's first law of motion?

An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

How does acceleration relate to net force and mass according to Newton's second law?

The acceleration is directly proportional to the net force and inversely proportional to the mass of the object.

What does ΣFy = 0 signify?

It indicates that all vertical forces are balanced.

In a situation with constant velocity, what can be said about the net force acting on an object?

The net force acting on the object is zero.

What would happen if an object experiences a net force greater than 0 N?

The object will accelerate.

What is the significance of the direction of arrows in free-body diagrams?

The direction of the arrows indicates the direction that the force is acting.