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Re: [Phys-L] sharing an activity re circular motion free-body diagrams



Nice exercises!

One of the instructions is "Only include in your diagrams FORCES that you
have learned about this year, such as tensions, normal forces, friction,
and weight."

Having chosen an inertial reference frame, you might consider asking that
students identify the object in the surroundings that is responsible for
the force. Naming objects is a general way to avoid noninertial forces
and/or possible double counting. In other words, "string" instead of
"tension"; "table" (perpendicular component) instead of "normal force";
"table" (parallel component) instead of "friction"; "Earth" instead of
"weight" or "gravity". You might also wish to ask students to identify the
kind of interaction (electric or gravitational).

Bruce