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What is kinematics and how is it related to classical mechanics?
What is kinematics and how is it related to classical mechanics?
Kinematics is a subfield of physics developed in classical mechanics that describes the motion of points, bodies, and systems of bodies without considering the forces that cause them to move.
What is the difference between kinematics and kinetics?
What is the difference between kinematics and kinetics?
The study of how forces act on bodies falls within kinetics, not kinematics.
How does one approach a kinematics problem?
How does one approach a kinematics problem?
A kinematics problem begins by describing the geometry of the system and declaring the initial conditions of any known values of position, velocity, and/or acceleration of points within the system. Then, using arguments from geometry, the position, velocity, and acceleration of any unknown parts of the system can be determined.
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Study Notes
Kinematics and Classical Mechanics
- Kinematics is the branch of classical mechanics that describes the motion of objects without considering the forces that cause the motion.
- It deals with the geometric and spatial aspects of motion, including position, velocity, and acceleration.
Kinematics vs. Kinetics
- Kinematics focuses on the description of motion, while kinetics focuses on the forces that cause the motion.
- Kinematics answers questions like "where?" and "how fast?", while kinetics answers questions like "why?" and "how much force?"
Approaching a Kinematics Problem
- Identify the problem type: position, velocity, or acceleration.
- Choose a coordinate system and define the variables (e.g., x, y, z, θ, etc.).
- Determine the given information and the unknowns.
- Apply kinematic equations, such as:
- Position-time equation: x(t) = x0 + v0t + (1/2)at^2
- Velocity-time equation: v(t) = v0 + at
- Acceleration-time equation: a(t) = a0 + jt
- Use algebraic manipulations to solve for the unknowns.
- Check the units and the physical reasonableness of the answer.
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