Simple Steps to Solving Force-Related Problems

  1. This is actually from my teacher, he's a genius, and it works pretty much every single time :-)

    No matter what situation... Draw a force-body diagram for every mass/object/thing that has a force acting on it.

    The sum of the forces in each direction in a SINGLE FORCE-BODY diagram always adds to be zero.

    Forces always come in pairs.

    Label all forces and write the equation (if applicable) for each force.
    Example: W = mg, T​

    The net force of the system, if it is accelerating will be defined by the sum of all the forces on the system, F=ma.
    To know when to add or subtract forces, make sure you understand forces are vectors and choose one direction as positive and the other as negative.​

    Follow these rules, steps, guidlines, and you will be able to solve any force-related problem!

    Hope this helps :-)

    PS: Add comments if you want
  2. jcsd
  3. :confused:
  4. Hootenanny

    Hootenanny 9,677
    Staff Emeritus
    Science Advisor
    Gold Member

    I believe you have just contradicted yourself here. Make sure your you specify you conditions, the former would be true only if the object is at equilibrium, i.e. stationary or moving with a constant velocity.

    I was just wandering what you meant by single force-body diagram?

  5. Chi Meson

    Chi Meson 1,772
    Science Advisor
    Homework Helper

    Incorrect. This is true only for an object in equilibrium.

    [Edit: Sorry, I didn't see Hoot's response]
    Anyway, this is a forum for people to ask questions.

    This is not a place for one to post gems of wisdom. You can do that in a PF journal. Find the "Journal" tab at the top of the list. OTherwise, offer your help in response to specific questions here.​
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2006

Have something to add?