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GCSE Physics · key term
A simplified diagram showing all the external forces acting on one chosen object or system as labelled arrows.
Used by AQA and OCR
Specification 4.5.1.4 · Paper 2
Revise: Resultant forcesA free-body diagram isolates one chosen object or system from its surroundings. The object is replaced by a dot or simple box, and each external force acting on it is shown by an arrow pointing in the force's direction. The arrow is labelled with the type of force and, when known, its magnitude.
Specification P2.2c, P2.2g, P2.2h · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher)
A labelled diagram showing all the external forces acting on one chosen object or system.
In a free-body diagram, draw and label every external force acting on the chosen object. Do not include forces exerted by that object on something else.
Do not add velocity or acceleration arrows to a free body diagram unless the question explicitly asks for them; they are not forces.
In a free-body diagram, draw only forces acting on the chosen object. Do not include forces that the object exerts on its surroundings.
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A free-body diagram simplifies the situation by isolating one chosen object or system. The object is commonly represented by a box or dot, while the surroundings are left out. Each arrow then represents an external force acting on that chosen object.
A force diagram showing all the external forces acting on one chosen object or system as labelled arrows.
A diagram showing all the external forces acting on one chosen object as labelled arrows.
Paper 1, Paper 2
A diagram showing the external forces acting on one isolated object or system as labelled arrows.
Revise: Newton’s Laws and Vector ForcesA free body diagram removes distracting detail and represents the chosen object or system by a dot or simple box. Labelled arrows show the external forces acting on it. An arrow points in the force’s direction, and a larger force should be represented by a longer arrow when relative sizes are known.