Draw a freebody diagram showing the forces acting on a box sat on a table

The first thing to note is that the book is sat on the table, so it is stationary. From newtons laws, we know it must have 0 total force acting on it. Every object on the earth feels a force downwards due to gravity, so we draw an arrow downwards from the centre of the book. Since the object is stationary, we need a second force to oppose gravity. To keep the object still the force must be equal in size and in the opposite direction. We draw this force as an arrow the same length as the first but directly up from the centre of the book. This completes the diagram as no other forces are acting on it.

RS
Answered by Robin S. Physics tutor

2354 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

An electric heater has a power of 1000W. It is connected to mains electricity (230V). The heater is equipped with an Earth wire. a) Calculate the current in the heater. b) Explain the role of the earth wire as a safety feature.


Using the principle of the conservation of energy, calculate the maximum speed of a ball of 5.0kg that has been dropped from a height of 20m. (Given that the gravitational field strength is equal to 9.8N/kg)


Explain how the resistance of a filament lamp changes as the potential difference across it increase


A pendulum has a frequency of 0.80 Hz, calculate the periodic time of the pendulum.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences