Free Body Diagrams (FBD)

Definition

Free Body Diagrams (FBD) are visual representations used to analyze forces acting on an object. They show all the external forces acting on an object as arrows with their magnitudes and directions.

Related terms

Newton's Laws of Motion: Newton's Laws describe how objects move when subjected to external forces. FBDs are often used in conjunction with these laws.

Equilibrium: Equilibrium refers to a state where the net force on an object is zero, meaning it is either at rest or moving with constant velocity.

Tension: Tension is the force transmitted through a string, rope, or cable when it is pulled at both ends. It can be represented by an arrow in an FBD.