Download Introduction to a System

Practice with Systems
Renate Fiora
Steps to defining a system
1. First, draw a sketch of the situation.
2. Next, draw a closed curve around the system
to distinguish it from the environment.
3. Finally, name and label each force acting on
the object.
Problem 1
• A mountain climber is hanging from a rope in
the middle of a crevasse. The rope is vertical.
Identify the forces on the mountain climber.
• Advance to the next slide to see solution after
you try it on your own.
Problem 1
• A mountain climber is hanging from a rope in
the middle of a crevasse. The rope is vertical.
Identify the forces on the mountain climber.
Tension, FT
Weight, FW
• Note that the force
arrows are conceptual
only. They aren’t drawn
to scale or in the exact
location. They are just
giving us a sense of the
situation.
Problem 2
• A baseball player is sliding into second base.
Identify the forces on the baseball player.
• Advance to the next slide to see solution after
you try it on your own.
Problem 2
• A baseball player is sliding into second base.
Identify the forces on the baseball player.
Normal force, FN
Kinetic friction, Ff
Weight, FW