A beam's free end does not always have zero shear force and bending moment; this condition only holds true if no external loads are applied. If a concentrated force or couple is present at the free end, the shear force, bending moment, and curvature will be non-zero. In the absence of any applied forces at the free end, the shear force and bending moment will indeed be zero. The discussion confirms that the presence of external loads is crucial in determining these values. Understanding these principles is essential for accurate beam analysis.
