Engineering English
Free Body Diagram
Engineering Fundamentals · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A graphical sketch used in mechanics to isolate a body and show all external forces and moments acting on it. It is essential for applying Newton's laws and equations of equilibrium.
Example in context
“Before solving for the tension in the cable, the engineer drew a free body diagram of the suspended load.”
“Kablodaki gerilimi çözmeden önce mühendis, asılı yükün serbest cisim diyagramını çizdi.”
Where engineers use it
Free body diagrams are fundamental in statics, dynamics, and strength of materials. They help engineers systematically identify and sum forces and moments, making them indispensable for solving equilibrium and motion problems in structural and mechanical design.
Synonyms: FBD, force diagram
Practice: can you use “Free Body Diagram” at work?
A junior engineer is analyzing a bridge truss node under multiple loads and must draw a free body diagram to determine the internal member forces correctly.
Show a model answer
“Draw a free body diagram to isolate the forces acting on the joint.”
“Free Body Diagram” in 21 languages
| English | Free Body Diagram |
|---|---|
| Turkish | serbest cisim diyagramı |
| French | diagramme de corps libre |
| German | Freikörperbild |
| Spanish | diagrama de cuerpo libre |
| Chinese | 自由体受力图 |
| Arabic | مخطط الجسم الحر |
| Portuguese | diagrama de corpo livre |
| Russian | схема свободного тела |
| Japanese | 自由体図 |
| Italian | diagramma di corpo libero |
| Vietnamese | sơ đồ vật thể tự do |
| Hindi | मुक्त पिंड आरेख |
| Thai | แผนภาพวัตถุอิสระ |
| Indonesian | diagram benda bebas |
| Korean | 자유 물체도 |
| Bengali | মুক্ত বস্তু চিত্র |
| Dutch | vrijlichaamsdiagram |
| Swedish | frilegendiagram |
| Finnish | vapaakappalekuva |
| Ukrainian | діаграма вільного тіла |
Frequently asked questions
What does Free Body Diagram mean in engineering?
A graphical sketch used in mechanics to isolate a body and show all external forces and moments acting on it. It is essential for applying Newton's laws and equations of equilibrium. In Engineering Fundamentals, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Free Body Diagram?
Free Body Diagram is pronounced /friː ˈbɒdi ˈdaɪəɡræm/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Free Body Diagram used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “Before solving for the tension in the cable, the engineer drew a free body diagram of the suspended load.”
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