Tuesday, 07th September 2010

   home     about     authors     news     physics forums         RSS feed     sitemap     privacy     physics archives     free magazines
Forces - Science Articles Science Articles

Physics Articles

folder add to favorites
 folder make home page

blank
Astronomy/Cosmology
 Education
 How Stuff Works
 Mathematics
 Mystics/Pseudo Science
 Other Sciences
 Physics
 Technology
 Theoretical Physics

Our Newsletter



Subscribe
Unsubscribe
  Voting Poll

We will most likely find life on...
Titan
Mars
Europa
Callisto
Other


  Featured Book

  Physics Tip


Viscosity
The property of a liquid that makes it resist flow or any change in the arrangement of its molecules. The higher the viscosity, the "thicker" a liquid seems.
 

  Physics Quote


It is impossible to trap modern physics into predicting anything with perfect determinism because it deals with probabilities from the outset.
    Sir Arthur Eddington (1882 - 1944)
 

 
 
 

Forces
Author: Tom Young
 Added: 12/16/2003
 Type: Summary
 Viewed: 50422 time(s)
 Average visitor rating of 7.4/10Average visitor rating of 7.4/10Average visitor rating of 7.4/10Average visitor rating of 7.4/10Average visitor rating of 7.4/10Average visitor rating of 7.4/10Average visitor rating of 7.4/10Average visitor rating of 7.4/10Average visitor rating of 7.4/10Average visitor rating of 7.4/10
How would you rate this article:    Bad Good   Go » 

  

Force Diagrams

A force diagram is drawn to show the relative magnitudes and directions of the forces involved in a situation. The actual object the forces are applied to is not relevant in the diagram. For simple situations the force diagram may seem to be overkill, but for more complicated situations it is an invaluable tool. Many students get into trouble when solving force problems because they did not take the time to draw a diagram. They usually are confused about the forces which are involved and never get a good picture of the situation. As with solving motion problems, the first step of identifying the variables is a very important one. Translating from words to pictures, then numbers is not accomplished by many without practice. Just watching others solve the problem does not create the skill of being able to solve the problem for yourself. Let's look at a simple example: You push horizontally on a couch while your friend pulls on it in the same direction. Let's also say that you apply twice the force as your friend. The force diagram would look like this: Notice how the couch has been removed the forces are drawn from the same point the forces are drawn parallel since they are in the same direction the vector for your force is longer since your force is larger In another case: You and an opponent each kick a soccer ball at the same time from opposite directions. Your opponent's kick is larger Did you picture a force diagram like this? Again the ball has been removed the forces are drawn from the same point the forces are drawn parallel since they are in opposite directions the vector for your opponent's force is longer since it is a larger force What if the forces are not along the same line? An airplane heads due north in a region where the wind is blowing in an easterly direction. Here the diagram shows the vectors relative to the coordinate system given. Notice, The plane has been removed the forces are drawn from the same point the directions are labeled on the axes the directions of the forces have been shown the vectors are equal since we aren't told any information on their size Be conscious of forces implied by the wording of the problem. Is the weight of the object relevant? Is a force applied by a rope, string, or wire? (tension), is there friction in the problem? Draw a force diagram for a picture which is hung by means of a wire stretched across the back of the picture and then hung on a nail in the wall. The angle between the two sections of the wire is 150°. Look at the picture and decide what point the forces have in common; looks like the nail in the wall. What are the forces on that point (nail)? Here's the force diagram: Notice a coordinate system is drawn for reference the forces are drawn from the same point the wall pushes up on the nail each section of wire pulls on the nail along their length the angle between the wires is labeled Here's a final situation: You push your calculator across a table with a force directed 20° below the table. Before you draw a diagram, list all of the forces involved, there are four. Here's the diagram: As before the book and the table are gone a coordinate system is added for reference the forces are drawn from the same point the force of gravity is accounted for the frictional force is represented the force of the table on the book is shown your push is shown below the level of the table. Drawing a force diagram is an important step in solving problems. Don't be in a hurry and omit it.

Article Pages:  « Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Next »  
                          


  Article Comments   Add Comment | View All (7)

Poster: Ethan Skyler
Added: -0/6-/2005

When the two soccer players unevenly kick the soccer ball, the acceleration/action force upon the ball turns out to be -50 lb. I am wondering what +50 lb. force exists in support of this -50 lb action force, all in accord with Newton's LAW III?
Poster: Mavis
Added: -0/4-/2004

Good~~~ It's a good article for the primary learning Science student .
It can help them have a basic and good concept of "force".
Poster: Mr ???
Added: -0/3-/2004

this article is very interesting.... keep up e good work!! write more articles for the benefit of us!!!!!:-)
Poster: swarup
Added: -0/3-/2004

very good for beginners who want to make their concept
right
Poster: Redlands Science
Added: -0/1-/2004

Thanks for the article. Must begin with the basics and you make the basics clear! The fact that we are not "touching" a book but the electrons are in a repelling state blows my mind. never thought of this!
Great Stuff!
Poster: Creativyst
Added: -0/1-/2004

Great article. Thank you. These articles on the basics are especially appreciated. They provide the basis for understanding and appreciating all the other good stuff that gets printed here. :-)
Poster: Michael F. Dmitriyev
Added: -1/2-/2003

[QUOTE]In recent years it has been shown that the magnetic, strong, and weak forces are all variations of the electric force now called the electro-weak force. Many scientists believe that the gravitational force may also have an electromagnetic base, but no proof exists as of now.[/QUOTE]
I believe that I have found the general origin of all these forces. It is here:
http://www.myscale.narod.ru/
Top  



Advanced Search
recent Recent Science Articles



Recent Articles function is down for the time being as we update the script. Stay tuned for a better and more updated news rotator.

links Science Links


Physics Post is just one of many quality physics sites on the web. Contact us if you feel you've found a diamond in the rough.

Astronomy and Cosmology

Chemistry

Credit Counselors

General Discussion

Philosophy

Securities Brokerage

Technology


 

Physics Songs

 
We provide daily science articles, physics articles and science news.
Our mission is to create a wide array of basic and advanced science articles for you to read and expand your science knowledge. Content here is not reviewed for accuracy, we rely on the expertise of the authors and the peer review in the comments section. If you want to submit a physics or science article please contact us.
All content © 2010, Physics Post. .