Question

which statement below best describes a free body diagram?
a a diagram of an object and all of the forces acting upon it
b a diagram of all forces acting upon an inclined plane
c a diagram of an object that is free of all forces
d a diagram of an object and all forces it is acting upon

Explanation:

A free - body diagram is a tool in physics (a sub - field of Natural Science) used to analyze forces. It represents an object along with all the external forces that are acting on that object. Option a says "A diagram of an object and all of the forces acting upon it", which matches the definition. Option b is incorrect because a free - body diagram is not limited to forces on an inclined plane. Option c is wrong as objects in a free - body diagram are not free of forces (in fact, the diagram shows the forces on them). Option d is incorrect because a free - body diagram shows forces acting on the object, not the forces the object is acting upon other things.

Answer:

a. A diagram of an object and all of the forces acting upon it