vector diagrams

Question 1

what are free body diagrams

Answer 1

free body diagrams show the direction of forces that are present in a situation

Question 2

what is the reaction force

Answer 2

the reaction force always acts at the normal to the line of contact, from the point of contact

Question 3

what direction does friction move in

Answer 3

friction acts in the opposite difection to movement, along line of contact

Question 4

what direction does weight act

Answer 4

weight always acts downwards, acting from centre of mass

Question 5

what does the length of each arrow represent

Answer 5

the length of each arrow represents its size, in relation to the other forces acting on the object. so direction with larger arrows shows resultant force

Question 6

what do arrows in opposite directions at equal length mean

Answer 6

the forces cancel out so the object is in equilibrium so travels at a constant velocity