To draw a free body diagram (FBD) for an object attached to a string swinging in a circle over a man’s head, we need to identify all the forces acting on the object.
Step 1: Identify the Forces
There are generally two forces acting on the object:
- Tension (T): This force pulls the object towards the center of the circle, along the string. Since the string is not horizontal, this force will have both vertical and horizontal components.
- Weight (W): This force acts downward due to gravity. It is equal to the mass of the object (m) multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity (g), so W = mg.
Step 2: Draw the Free Body Diagram
1. Start by drawing the object as a point in the center of your diagram.
2. Draw an arrow pointing downward to represent the weight (W) of the object. Label this arrow with ‘W = mg’.
3. Next, draw the tension (T) arrow extending at an angle from the object towards the attachment point of the string above. Ensure this arrow is angled to reflect the direction of the string.
4. Label this arrow with ‘T’. Make sure to indicate that the angle of the tension affects its vertical and horizontal components.
Step 3: Consider the Mass
If the mass of the object is given, you can calculate the weight using the formula W = mg. For instance, if the mass is 2 kg, the weight would be 19.6 N (assuming g = 9.8 m/s²).
This FBD illustrates the forces acting on the object as it swings. The tension in the string must be sufficient to provide the centripetal force required for circular motion while balancing its weight.