Dynamics is the study of bodies that accelerate: how they move, and the forces and energy that make them move that way. It is the second engineering mechanics course, after statics, and the basis for machine design, vibrations and controls.
How to use these lessons: They teach methods, not answers to assigned problems. Work each example yourself first, then compare your steps with ours.
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The 2027 Engineer Edition planner — dated and undated, for classes, labs and projects.
A dynamics course has two halves. Kinematics describes motion without asking what causes it. Kinetics links motion to forces, through Newton’s second law, work and energy, or impulse and momentum. Both are done first for particles, then for rigid bodies that rotate.
Dynamics reuses the free body diagram from statics, with one change: the forces no longer sum to zero but to m·a. Draw the diagram, pick a coordinate system that fits the motion, and choose the method that fits the question: F = m·a for accelerations, work–energy for speed versus position, impulse–momentum for speed versus time.
Most students find it harder, because the motion adds kinematics and there are several methods to choose between. The free body diagram skills from statics carry straight over.
Yes. Velocity and acceleration are derivatives, and variable-acceleration problems need integration. Constant-acceleration problems only need algebra.
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