Exam-style question
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In a free-body diagram, which force is typically represented as acting downwards?.
- A.Frictional force
- B.Normal force
- C.Weight
- D.Tension
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Weight
Explanation
Why this works
The evidence indicates that weight is the force due to gravity acting on an object, which always pulls it downwards towards the center of the Earth. This shows that in free-body diagrams, weight is consistently represented as a downward arrow.
The implication is that understanding the direction of weight is fundamental to analyzing the net forces acting on an object. Thus, recognizing weight in free-body diagrams is crucial for applying Newton's laws effectively.
Common mistake
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