FBD REVISION

Force Concept Direction

Weight, W Due to gravitational pull. Directed downwards
Normal Reaction Force, N In contact with surface Perpendicular to surface; directed outward
from surface.
Friction forces, f s @ f k Surface is rough Parallel to surface; opposite to motion.
Tension, T Exist in a cord / string / cable Along the cord, away from object

Steps for drawing a Free Body Diagrams

Step 1: Block is being pushed up along a rough vertical wall.
Refer to the situation given, identify the forces acting on the object.

Rough surface
Tips on indentify forces :
m
Have m ? if yes W
Rough surface ? if yes fs or fk
Contact with surface ? if yes N F
Any cord/cable/string etc ? if yes T

Step 2:
Draw a dot to represent the object of interest.

Step 3:
Draw properly the force vectors (including angles) on the diagram. F
All forces drawn are OUTWARD from the dot.
LABEL the forces!

N

fk

W
Writing down the sum of the forces (Apply Newtons laws)
Step 1: Refer to the above example:
Pick a coordinate system to minimize the number of forces that must
be resolved into components, especially unknown values. Step 1: Choose the Cartesian
coordinates.
Step 2 :
Resolve into components for any forces that does not lie along the X
or Y axis. y
Step 2: Resolve F into x & y
Step 3:
Step 3 : Identify direction a components
Identify direction of acceleration or motion.
of a ( accelerates upwards
Step 4 : along y axis)
F sin F
= ma
{ Force(s) in direction of a } {Force(s) opposite to a} = ma
N x
F cos
OR
fk
=0
{ Upwards Force(s) } {Downwards Force(s)} = 0 W CAUTION:
{ Rightwards Force(s) } {Leftwards Force(s) } = 0
Use dotted lines for components of
Step 4 : forces in FBD.
Along y axis: *(accelerates upwards)
= ma

Along x axis : *(no motion)

=0