Physics Unit Objectives: Dynamics
Dynamics I: Force Basics
 Define a force and differentiate between contact forces and long-range forces.
 List the four fundamental forces physicists have identified in nature and the environment in which each can be observed.
 Recognize friction forces, applied forces, weight forces, etc. as manifestations of the one of the four fundamental forces.
 Know the units of force: 1 N = 1 kg·m/s 2
 Describe how the weight and the mass of an object are related.
 Differentiate between the gravitational force weight and what is experienced as apparent weight.
 Understand and apply the vector nature of forces to previous unit objectives.
Dynamics II: Newton’s Laws and Free Body Diagrams
 Be able to explain Newton’s First and Second Laws and recognize their significance to problem solving.
 Define and understand the concept of inertia.
 Explain the meaning of “an object in equilibrium” (when F net
= 0).
 Be able to draw and properly label free body diagrams for objects, according to the convention practiced in class: (e.g., F
A (M,B)
denotes the applied force of a man on a box.)
 Be able to use free body diagrams to analyze whether an object is in equilibrium, and analyze the relative magnitude and direction of forces acting on an object.
 Be able to use Newton’s Second Law to recognize which forces in a system are equal in magnitude, and analyze the magnitude and direction of the external forces on an object.
 Solve 1-dimensional dynamics problems using newton’s laws and kinematics equations.
(elevator problems, helicopter problems, parachute problems, scale problems)
Dynamics III: 2-D Dynamics Problems and Third Law Pairs
 Define the friction force and distinguish between static and kinetic friction.
 Solves 2-dimensional dynamics problems using newton’s laws and kinematics equations.
(forces in four different directions)
Dynamics IV: Newton’s Third Law
 Explain the meaning of interaction pairs (third law pairs) of forces and how they are related by Newton’s third law.
 Be able to label third law pairs in free body diagrams using x’s or dotted lines as practiced in class.
 Be able to recognize when forces in a system are equal in magnitude according to
Newton’s Third Law.
 Describe simple harmonic motion and explain how the acceleration due to gravity influences such motion.