Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Free-body Diagram

Free-body Diagram

In mechanics, understanding the motion of objects is essential, and one tool that helps solve this problem is the free-body diagram. It is a simple but powerful graphical representation that succinctly represents all the forces acting on an object. A free-body diagram can represent a stationary or moving object, and is used in mechanics to explain the cause of an object's motion.
A free-body diagram transforms a complex problem into a simple representation, making it easy to understand the...

Shear Diagram

Shear Diagram

In the study of beam mechanics, shear diagrams play a crucial role in understanding the distribution of shear forces along the length of a beam. Consider a beam AB that is supported at both ends and subjected to perpendicular loads.
First, a free-body diagram of the beam is drawn, representing all the external forces and internal reactions acting on the beam. One can calculate the reaction forces at each support by employing the equilibrium equations of force and moment. The vertical component...

Elements of Block Diagrams

Elements of Block Diagrams

Block diagrams serve as a visual representation of the input-output relationships within a system. An illustrative example is a heating system, where the set temperature activates the furnace to warm the room to the desired level. Block diagrams are versatile, modeling linear systems through Laplace transform variables and nonlinear systems using time domain variables.
A block diagram typically includes essential elements such as comparators, blocks, and feedback loops. Each of these elements...

Machines

Machines

Machines are complex structures consisting of movable, pin-connected multi-force members that work together to transmit forces. One example of a machine is the cutting plier, which is used to cut wires by applying forces to its handles. When equal and opposite forces are exerted on the handles of the cutting plier, they cause the cutting edges to come together and apply equal and opposite reaction forces on the wire, which are greater than the applied forces.
A free-body diagram of the...

Bending Moment Diagram

Bending Moment Diagram

A bending moment diagram is a graphical representation of the bending moments experienced by a beam under load along the beam length. It is an essential tool for engineers and designers to analyze structures and ensure they can withstand applied forces. The steps to create the bending moment diagram for a beam are listed below.
Determine reactive forces and couple moments: Calculate all the reactive forces and couple moments acting on the beam. In certain cases, when the beam is inclined at an...

Drawing Free-body Diagrams: Rules

Drawing Free-body Diagrams: Rules

The first step in describing and analyzing most phenomena in physics involves the careful drawing of a free-body diagram. Free-body diagrams are useful in analyzing forces acting on an object or system, and are employed extensively in the study and application of Newton's laws of motion. The steps to draw a free-body diagram are listed below:

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Space to Act, Think, and Create.

Annual review of psychology·2025

Same author

Daniel Kahneman (1934-2024).

The American psychologist·2025

Same author

Putting it Together, Together.

Cognitive science·2024

Same author

Precueing Object Placement and Orientation for Manual Tasks in Augmented Reality.

IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics·2022

Same author

Using Multi-Level Precueing to Improve Performance in Path-Following Tasks in Virtual Reality.

IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics·2021

Same author

Thinking Tools: Gestures Change Thought About Time.

Topics in cognitive science·2021

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Fracture Apparatus Design and Protocol Optimization for Closed-stabilized Fractures in Rodents

Fracture Apparatus Design and Protocol Optimization for Closed-stabilized Fractures in Rodents

Published on: August 14, 2018

Arrows in comprehending and producing mechanical diagrams.

Julie Heiser¹, Barbara Tversky

¹Department of Psychology, Stanford University2.

Cognitive Science

|June 28, 2011

Summary

Arrows in diagrams enhance understanding of mechanical systems. Diagrams with arrows are interpreted as functional, while those without are seen as structural, aiding comprehension of dynamic processes.

Area of Science:

Mechanical Engineering
Cognitive Science
Diagrammatic Representation

Background:

Mechanical systems possess both structural (parts and relations) and functional (processes) organizations.
Diagrams are commonly used to explain these organizations, but their effectiveness can vary.
The role of specific visual elements, like arrows, in diagrammatic communication is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of arrows in diagrams of mechanical systems.
To determine how the presence or absence of arrows influences the interpretation of mechanical system diagrams.
To explore how people use arrows when creating diagrams based on functional or structural descriptions.

Main Methods:

Experiment 1: Participants described mechanical system diagrams presented with and without arrows.

More Related Videos

Rapid Manufacturing of Thin Soft Pneumatic Actuators and Robots

Rapid Manufacturing of Thin Soft Pneumatic Actuators and Robots

Published on: November 8, 2019

Application of Design Aspects in Uniaxial Loading Machine Development

Application of Design Aspects in Uniaxial Loading Machine Development

Published on: September 19, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 31, 2026

Fracture Apparatus Design and Protocol Optimization for Closed-stabilized Fractures in Rodents

Fracture Apparatus Design and Protocol Optimization for Closed-stabilized Fractures in Rodents

Published on: August 14, 2018

Rapid Manufacturing of Thin Soft Pneumatic Actuators and Robots

Rapid Manufacturing of Thin Soft Pneumatic Actuators and Robots

Published on: November 8, 2019

Application of Design Aspects in Uniaxial Loading Machine Development

Application of Design Aspects in Uniaxial Loading Machine Development

Published on: September 19, 2018

Experiment 2: Participants sketched mechanical systems based on provided structural or functional descriptions.

Main Results:

Diagrams without arrows were interpreted as conveying primarily structural information.
Diagrams with arrows were interpreted as conveying functional information.
Participants spontaneously used arrows in their sketches to represent functional processes when given functional descriptions.

Conclusions:

Arrows significantly augment structural diagrams, effectively conveying dynamic, causal, or functional information.
The use of arrows in diagrams is a powerful tool for communicating the operational aspects of mechanical systems.
Understanding how visual cues like arrows are interpreted is crucial for effective technical communication and design.