In a typical free body diagram of a block hanging at rest from a rope attached to the ceiling, what objects exert significant forces on the hanging block?

• A. Only the Earth
• B. The rope and the Earth
• C. The rope, the ceiling, and the air
• D. Only the rope

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the block as the system of interest and consider all forces acting directly on it.
2. Recognize that the Earth exerts a gravitational force (weight) on the block, pulling it downward.
3. Understand that the rope exerts an upward tension force on the block, supporting it against gravity.
4. Note that the ceiling does not exert a direct force on the block; it only supports the rope.
5. Conclude that the significant forces on the block come from the Earth (gravity) and the rope (tension).