Question

1. in a free - body diagram, the arrows representing tension and weight have the same length but point away from one another. what does this indicate?

a. they are equal in magnitude and act in the same direction.
b. they are equal in magnitude and act in opposite directions.
c. they are unequal in magnitude and act in the same direction.
d. they are unequal in magnitude and act in opposite directions.

Explanation:

In a free - body diagram, the length of the arrow represents the magnitude of the force, and the direction of the arrow represents the direction of the force. If two force arrows (tension and weight here) have the same length, it means their magnitudes are equal. If they point away from each other, it means they act in opposite directions. So we analyze each option:

• Option a: Says they act in the same direction, but the arrows point away, so this is wrong.
• Option b: Same length (equal magnitude) and point away (opposite directions), this matches.
• Option c: Says unequal magnitude (but same length means equal) and same direction (arrows point away, so wrong direction), so wrong.
• Option d: Says unequal magnitude (same length means equal), so wrong.

Answer:

b. They are equal in magnitude and act in opposite directions.