Mechanics

Description

This module covers Classical Mechanics: Statics, Kinematics and Dynamics. The module provides a basis for subsequent courses in structural mechanics and dynamics, and flight mechanics which are taught in later years. The subjects covered include Newtonian physics, gravitation, friction, variational mechanics, simple motion, particle dynamics, vibrations, energy and momentum methods and basic orbital mechanics. On successfully completing this module, you should be able to: 1. demonstrate understanding of the SI system of units, symbols and dimensions. 2. demonstrate understanding of Newton’s Laws and the Law of Gravitation, describe the concept of a ‘free body diagram’ and apply them to simple mechanics problems. 3. formulate the fundamental principles of mechanics in terms of vector algebra and solve, using vectors, some problems in 3-D statics and 3-D particle motion in Cartesian, cylindrical and polar co-ordinates. 4. demonstrate understanding of the laws of dry Coulomb friction and their application to the solution of simple problems including examples where a degree of friction is essential for correct operation. 5. explain the terminology used to describe vibrating systems, and establish and solve the differential equation for a damped or undamped single degree of freedom system undergoing free or forced, small amplitude vibration. 6. discuss the use the energy or momentum method, as appropriate, to solve some problems involving translation and rotation of rigid bodies. 7. describe the trajectory of a particle about a fixed body exerting gravitational attraction using appropriate terminology as well as formulate and solve equations for this simple orbital motion.