Dynamics (mechanics)
Encyclopedia
In the field of physics
, the study of the causes of motion and changes in motion is dynamics. In other words the study of force
s and why objects are in motion
. Dynamics includes the study of the effect of torques on motion. These are in contrast to kinematics
, the branch of classical mechanics
that describes the motion of objects without consideration of the causes leading to the motion.
Generally speaking, researchers involved in dynamics study how a physical system might develop or alter over time and study the causes of those changes. In addition, Isaac Newton
established the undergirding physical laws which govern dynamics in physics. By studying his system of mechanics, dynamics can be understood. In particular dynamics is mostly related to Newton's second law of motion. However, all three laws of motion are taken into consideration, because these are interrelated in any given observation or experiment.
For classical electromagnetism
, it is Maxwell's equations
that describe the dynamics. And the dynamics of classical systems involving both mechanics and electromagnetism are described by the combination of Newton's laws, Maxwell's equations, and the Lorentz force
.
which can cause an object to move. The concept of force is used to describe an influence which causes a free body
(object) to accelerate. It can be a push or a pull, which causes an object to change direction, have new velocity
, or to deform
temporarily or permanently. Generally speaking, force causes an object's state of motion
to change.
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, the study of the causes of motion and changes in motion is dynamics. In other words the study of force
Force
In physics, a force is any influence that causes an object to undergo a change in speed, a change in direction, or a change in shape. In other words, a force is that which can cause an object with mass to change its velocity , i.e., to accelerate, or which can cause a flexible object to deform...
s and why objects are in motion
Motion (physics)
In physics, motion is a change in position of an object with respect to time. Change in action is the result of an unbalanced force. Motion is typically described in terms of velocity, acceleration, displacement and time . An object's velocity cannot change unless it is acted upon by a force, as...
. Dynamics includes the study of the effect of torques on motion. These are in contrast to kinematics
Kinematics
Kinematics is the branch of classical mechanics that describes the motion of bodies and systems without consideration of the forces that cause the motion....
, the branch of classical mechanics
Classical mechanics
In physics, classical mechanics is one of the two major sub-fields of mechanics, which is concerned with the set of physical laws describing the motion of bodies under the action of a system of forces...
that describes the motion of objects without consideration of the causes leading to the motion.
Generally speaking, researchers involved in dynamics study how a physical system might develop or alter over time and study the causes of those changes. In addition, Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton PRS was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist, and theologian, who has been "considered by many to be the greatest and most influential scientist who ever lived."...
established the undergirding physical laws which govern dynamics in physics. By studying his system of mechanics, dynamics can be understood. In particular dynamics is mostly related to Newton's second law of motion. However, all three laws of motion are taken into consideration, because these are interrelated in any given observation or experiment.
For classical electromagnetism
Electromagnetism
Electromagnetism is one of the four fundamental interactions in nature. The other three are the strong interaction, the weak interaction and gravitation...
, it is Maxwell's equations
Maxwell's equations
Maxwell's equations are a set of partial differential equations that, together with the Lorentz force law, form the foundation of classical electrodynamics, classical optics, and electric circuits. These fields in turn underlie modern electrical and communications technologies.Maxwell's equations...
that describe the dynamics. And the dynamics of classical systems involving both mechanics and electromagnetism are described by the combination of Newton's laws, Maxwell's equations, and the Lorentz force
Lorentz force
In physics, the Lorentz force is the force on a point charge due to electromagnetic fields. It is given by the following equation in terms of the electric and magnetic fields:...
.
Force
From Newton, force can be defined as an exertion or pressurePressure
Pressure is the force per unit area applied in a direction perpendicular to the surface of an object. Gauge pressure is the pressure relative to the local atmospheric or ambient pressure.- Definition :...
which can cause an object to move. The concept of force is used to describe an influence which causes a free body
Free body
Free body is the generic term used by physicists and engineers to describe an object—be it a bowling ball, a spacecraft, pendulum, a television, or anything else—which can be considered as moving as a single unit. The object doesn't have to be "free" in the usual sense of the...
(object) to accelerate. It can be a push or a pull, which causes an object to change direction, have new velocity
Velocity
In physics, velocity is speed in a given direction. Speed describes only how fast an object is moving, whereas velocity gives both the speed and direction of the object's motion. To have a constant velocity, an object must have a constant speed and motion in a constant direction. Constant ...
, or to deform
Deformation (mechanics)
Deformation in continuum mechanics is the transformation of a body from a reference configuration to a current configuration. A configuration is a set containing the positions of all particles of the body...
temporarily or permanently. Generally speaking, force causes an object's state of motion
Motion (physics)
In physics, motion is a change in position of an object with respect to time. Change in action is the result of an unbalanced force. Motion is typically described in terms of velocity, acceleration, displacement and time . An object's velocity cannot change unless it is acted upon by a force, as...
to change.
Newton's laws
Newton described force as the ability to cause a mass to accelerate.- Newton's first law states that an object in motion will stay in motion unless a force is applied. This law deals with inertia, which is a property of matter that resists accelerationAccelerationIn physics, acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with time. In one dimension, acceleration is the rate at which something speeds up or slows down. However, since velocity is a vector, acceleration describes the rate of change of both the magnitude and the direction of velocity. ...
and depends only on massMassMass can be defined as a quantitive measure of the resistance an object has to change in its velocity.In physics, mass commonly refers to any of the following three properties of matter, which have been shown experimentally to be equivalent:...
. - Newton's second law states that force quantity is equal to mass multiplied by the acceleration (F = ma).
- Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction.