physics classroom free body diagrams answers

And if an object is moving upward and rightward, there must be both an upward and rightward force. Their conception of motion prompts them to think that if an object is moving upward, then there must be an upward force.

Many students have difficulty with the concept that the only force acting upon an upward moving projectile is gravity. By definition, a projectile is any object upon which the only force is gravity. Regardless of whether a projectile is moving downwards, upwards, upwards and rightwards, or downwards and leftwards, the free-body diagram of the projectile is still as depicted in the diagram at the right. Thus, the free-body diagram of a projectile would show a single force acting downwards and labeled force of gravity (or simply F grav). If there were any other force acting upon an object, then that object would not be a projectile. A projectile is any object that once projected or dropped continues in motion by its own inertia and is influenced only by the downward force of gravity.īy definition, a projectile has a single force that acts upon it - the force of gravity. And an object which is thrown upward at an angle to the horizontal is also a projectile (provided that the influence of air resistance is negligible). An object that is thrown vertically upward is also a projectile (provided that the influence of air resistance is negligible). An object dropped from rest is a projectile (provided that the influence of air resistance is negligible). There are a variety of examples of projectiles. A projectile is an object upon which the only force acting is gravity.

Physics classroom free body diagrams answers