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AQA AS Maths: Mechanics

Revision Notes

Home / AS / Maths: Mechanics / AQA / Revision Notes / 3. Forces & Newton's Laws / 3.1 Forces / 3.1.1 Force Diagrams


3.1.1 Force Diagrams


Force Diagrams

Why do we need force diagrams?

  • Force diagrams are used to help understand a given scenario and show which forces are acting on which particles and in which direction they are acting
  • In diagrams an arrow is used to represent a force acting on a particle which shows the direction in which the force is acting
  • The magnitude of the force is normally written next to its arrow

3-1-1-fig1-basic-force-diagrams

What types of forces could be involved?

  •  Specific types of force encountered (which may not be mentioned in the question nor labelled on a given diagram) are: weight (W N), tension (T N), thrust (T N), friction (F N) and normal reaction (RN)

3-1-1-fig2-forces-on-a-block

  • Remember that the diagram is drawn to help understand the scenario - cars, blocks, etc are modelled as particles occupying a single point in space and so all forces acting on the car, block, etc act at that same single point
  • The main forces that you will see are:
    • tension (a “pulling” force) acts away from a particle,
      thrust (a “pushing” force) acts towards it
    • weight is W = mg where  m kg is the mass of the particle and g is the acceleration due to gravity – usually g = 9.8 m s-2
      • If you are told, or are using g = 9.8 m s-2  ensure you round your final answer to two significant figures (as 9.8 is rounded to 2 s. f.)
      • If you are told to use g = 10 m s-2 ensure you round your final answer to one significant figure (as 10 is rounded to 1 s. f.)
    • friction acts parallel to the surface in the opposite direction to motion
    • the normal reaction acts perpendicular to the surface (and friction)

Worked Example

3.1.1_WE_Force_1

3-1-1-fig3-we-solution

Exam Tip

  • Always draw a force diagram if appropriate.
  • If a diagram is already given then add to it as you progress through the question.
  • If a diagram is too small or it gets too complicated then draw a new diagram.
  • You may be able to manage with just drawing the section of the diagram you are dealing with in any particular question part.
  • Unless told otherwise, use g = 9.8 m s-2 and round your final answer to two significant figures.
  • Some questions may direct you to use g = 10 m s-2  in which case round your final answer to one significant figure.


  • 1. Mechanics Toolkit
    • 1.1 Quantities, Units & Modelling
      • 1.1.1 Scalars & Vectors
        • 1.1.2 Fundamental Units
          • 1.1.3 Derived Units
            • 1.1.4 Types of Force
              • 1.1.5 Modelling Assumptions
              • 1.2 Working with Vectors
                • 1.2.1 Working with Vectors
              • 2. Kinematics
                • 2.1 Kinematics Graphs
                  • 2.1.1 Displacement-Time Graphs
                    • 2.1.2 Velocity-Time Graphs
                      • 2.1.3 Drawing Travel Graphs
                      • 2.2 Variable Acceleration - 1D
                        • 2.2.1 Using Calculus in 1D
                        • 2.3 Constant Acceleration - 1D
                          • 2.3.1 Deriving the suvat Formulae
                            • 2.3.2 suvat in 1D
                              • 2.3.3 Acceleration due to Gravity
                            • 3. Forces & Newton's Laws
                              • 3.1 Forces
                                • 3.1.1 Force Diagrams
                                  • 3.1.2 Equilibrium in 1D
                                    • 3.1.3 Equilibrium in 2D
                                      • 3.1.4 Forces in 2D - Vector Notation
                                      • 3.2 Newton's Second Law
                                        • 3.2.1 F = ma
                                          • 3.2.2 Connected Bodies - Ropes & Tow Bars
                                            • 3.2.3 Connected Bodies - The Lift Problem
                                              • 3.2.4 Connected Bodies - Pulleys
                                                • 3.2.5 F = ma - Vector Notation


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                                              Author: Daniel

                                              Dan graduated from the University of Oxford with a First class degree in mathematics. As well as teaching maths for over 8 years, Dan has marked a range of exams for Edexcel, tutored students and taught A Level Accounting. Dan has a keen interest in statistics and probability and their real-life applications.


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