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Introduction

This unit lays the foundations of Newtonian mechanics and in particular the procedure for solving dynamics problems. The prerequisite skills needed for this unit are the ability to solve first- and second-order differential equations, a knowledge of vectors, and an understanding of the concept of a force.

Learning Outcomes

After studying this unit you should be able to:

understand and use the basic terms for the description of the motion of particles: position, velocity and acceleration;
understand, use and differentiate vector functions;
understand the fundamental laws of Newtonian mechanics;
solve mechanics problems in one dimension by drawing a sketch, choosing a suitable x-axis and origin, drawing a force diagram, applying Newton’s second law, taking the x-component, and making suitable substitutions;
solve mechanics problems in one dimension that involve one or more of the forces of gravity, friction, air resistance and water resistance;
understand the concept of terminal velocity and use it in solving mechanics problems in one dimension.

Modelling with first order differential equations

The main teaching text of this unit is provided in the workbook below. The answers to the exercises that you'll find throughout the workbook are given in the answer book. You can access it by clicking on the link under the workbook. When prompted after exercise 2.2 to watch the video for this unit, return to this page and watch the four clips below. After you've watched the clips, return to the workbook.

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Workbook contents

Introduction

1 Describing motion

1.1 The motion of a particle

1.2 One-dimensional motion

2 A theory of motion

3 Predicting motion

4 Some more force models

4.1 Friction

4.2 Air resistance

4.3 Water resistance

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Acknowledgements

The content acknowledged below is Proprietary (see terms and conditions) and is used under licence.

Grateful acknowledgement is made to the following sources for permission to reproduce material in this unit:

All materials included in this unit are derived from content originated at the Open University.

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Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:47:05 GMT

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