ALONDATA, NESTOR GABRIEL B.

OCTOBER 22, 2021

12 – QUISUMBING B2

PERFORMANCE TASK 3
Forces and Free-Body Diagrams

1. Free-body diagrams for four situations are shown below. The net force is known for each
situation. However, the magnitudes of a few of the individual forces are not known.
Analyze each situation individually and determine the magnitude of the unknown forces.
Solution:
• Since Fnet = 0N (or no net force applied), the
forces along horizontal and vertical are balanced.
Horizontal: A + 50N = 0N A = 50N, left
Vertical: B + (200N) = 0N B = 200N, up
a.
Answers:
A = 50N
B = 200N

Solution:
• To have a Fnet = 900N, up, the forces along
vertical must be 900N.
Vertical: C + 200N = 900N C = 1100N, up

Answer:
b.
C = 1100N

Solution:
• Since there is no net force along vertical, they
are balanced.
• To have a Fnet = 60N, left, the forces along
horizontal must be -60N.
c. Horizontal: 80N + D = 60N D = 20N, right
Vertical: 300N + E = 0N E = 300N, down

Answers:
D = 20N
E = 300N
 Solution:
• Since there is no net force along vertical, the
magnitude of the forces F and H are all real
numbers (ℝ) as long it satisfies F = H.
• To have a Fnet = 30N, right, the forces along the
d. horizontal must be 30N.
Horizontal: 20N + G = 30N G = 50N, right

Answers:
F=H
G = 50N
Create the free-body diagrams for 2-3. Label the forces and angles if applicable.

2. A girl is suspended motionless from a bar which hangs from the ceiling by two ropes. A
free-body diagram for the girl in this situation looks like this:
Answer:
Ftension Ftension

mass (kg)

weight or Fgravity
3. Complete the free-body diagram so the block will move in the direction of Fnet .

Known Forces: Unknown Forces: Free-body Diagram:

Fnet = 6N, down Fnormal Fnormal

Fx = 4N A
Fy = 3N
Fy = 3N B A
θ
Fx = 4N
Fgrav = 6N θ
Fgravity = 6N

Fnet = 6N, down

Solution:
a. Since the forces along horizontal are balanced (resultant or net force is 0),
therefore, A = Fx = 4N.
b. To find θ, use arctangent function.
Fx 3
tan−1 ( = ) = θ ≈ 36.87°
Fy 4
c. To find B, use the Pythagorean theorem.
2
B = √(Fx )2 + (Fy ) = √(3N)2 + (4N)2 = 5N
d. To have a Fnet = 6N, down, the forces along vertical must be −6N.
Fnet = Fnorm + Fy − Fgrav
Fnorm = Fnet + Fgrav − Fy
= −6N + 6N − 3N
Fnorm = −3N
Answers: Complete Diagram:
Fnorm = 3N, down
A = 4N, left
5N
B = 5N 3N 3N
36.87°
θ = 36.87° 4N 4N

6N
Fnet = 6N, down
4. A force table is set-up so that a force of magnitude 2.45N is at an angle of -37°. At what
angle should a 1.96N be to balance this force? Create a free-body diagram, label the
forces and the angles, and highlight 1.96N. (BONUS)

Explanation:
• According to Newton’s third law of motion, for every action, there is an
equal and opposite reaction. If only two forces act on an object, to be
“balanced”, that is, for the net force to be zero, the two forces must be equal
in magnitude and opposite in direction to each other.
• If we understand this problem, that is, if this is a horizontal force table, there
is no solution. There must be three forces acting to be balanced unless two
opposite forces are equal in magnitude.
Answer:
No Solution