Forces - Free Body Diagrams

Applied Force

force that is applied to an object by a person or another object

Force of Gravity

the Earths pull on objects

Normal Force

the support force exerted upon an object that is in contact with another stable object

Friction Force

this force is in the opposite direction than a movement and slows down an object

Air Resistence Force

force that acts with objects that are traveling through air

Tension Force

force that is transmitted through a string, rope, cable or wire when it is pulled tight

Applied Force Symbol

Fapp

Normal Force Symbol

Fnorm

Friction Force Symbol

Ffrict

Air Resistence Force Symbol

Fair

Tension Force Symbol

Ftens

Applied Force Example

Pushing a desk across the room

Force of Gravity Example

All things on Earth experience gravity

Normal Force Example

If a book is resting on a surface, then that surface is pushing back on the book

Friction Force Example

A book moving across a desk has a friction force applied against the direction of movement

Air Resistence Force Example

A flying squirrel

Tension Force Example

A tire swing hanging from a tree

Free Body Diagrams

used to show the magnitude and direction of all forces acting on an object