Free Body Diagram Maker
Classroom worksheet · Interactive simulation: https://lkforge.com/tools/physics/free-body-diagram/
Name: Date:
Learning objectives
- Identify all forces acting on an object.
- Represent forces as vectors in a free body diagram.
- Use the diagram to find the net force.
Variables to change
- Scenario (surface, incline, hanging, etc.)
- Applied forces
- Friction
Procedure
- Choose a scenario and add each force acting on the object as a labeled arrow.
- Check that every arrow corresponds to a real interaction (gravity, normal, friction, tension, applied).
- Combine the arrows to estimate the net force and predict the motion.
Observations
For each scenario, list the forces and their directions, then state the net force.
Questions
- What belongs in a free body diagram?
- Name the common forces to check for.
- What does the normal force always do?
- If the object is in equilibrium, what is true of the force vectors?
- How do you get acceleration from a free body diagram?
Answer key (instructors)
- 1. Only the forces acting ON the object, drawn as vectors from the object; not forces it exerts on others.
- 2. Weight (gravity), normal force, friction, tension, applied force, and any spring or drag force.
- 3. Acts perpendicular to the contact surface, pushing the object away from it.
- 4. They sum to zero — the net force is zero.
- 5. Find the net force and apply Newton’s second law, a = F_net/m.
A free body diagram isolates one object and draws every force acting on it as a vector. Summing those vectors gives the net force, and Newton’s second law (a = F_net/m) turns it into the motion — the starting point for nearly every mechanics problem.