Shiloh Bender

Physics

20 January, 18:50

Analyzing Forces

Using Free-Body Diagrams

1. Imagine two books sitting at rest

on top of each other on a table.

The top book has a mass of 2 kg,

the book under the top book has a

mass of 3 kg, and the table has a mass

of 20 kg. Clearly there is a force of

gravity (weight) on all three objects.

In addition, because some of the

objects are in contact with other

objects, there may be forces by one

object on another object.

a) Draw a free-body diagram for each

object. On each diagram, draw

arrows representing the force of

gravity and any other forces on the

object by another object (including

the floor).

b) What is the acceleration of each

of the objects?

c) What is the force of gravity

on each object?

d) What is the force on each object by

the other objects?