Free-Body Diagram (FBD)

Definition

A free-body diagram is a visual representation that shows all the forces acting on an object. It helps to analyze and understand the motion of the object by isolating individual forces.

Related terms

Newton's Second Law:

This law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force applied to it and inversely proportional to its mass.

Force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma): This equation represents Newton's second law and explains how force, mass, and acceleration are related.

Net Force:

The net force is the vector sum of all forces acting on an object. It determines the object's acceleration according to Newton's second law.