What is a force diagram?

A force diagram is a visual representation of the forces acting on an object or system. It typically consists of arrows pointing in different directions to represent the magnitude and direction of each force. The length of the arrow indicates the relative strength of the force, while the direction of the arrow shows the direction in which the force is acting.

In a force diagram, the forces are labeled with symbols or names to identify them, such as "F1" for force 1 or "gravity" for the force of gravity. Common forces that may be included in a force diagram include gravity, normal force, friction, tension, and applied forces.

Force diagrams are often used in physics to analyze the forces acting on an object in order to determine its motion or stability. By carefully analyzing the forces in a system, scientists and engineers can predict the behavior of objects and design structures that are safe and efficient.