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Tools Purpose (S) Application (S) Limitation (S) Theories
Tools Purpose (S) Application (S) Limitation (S) Theories
1. Idealizations Simplify the application of Particle - objects are modeled as There are no limitations in
theories. particles that has mass, its size and idealizing your diagram.
shape are neglected.
Rigid body - object’s deformation is
neglected.
Concentrated Force - point of
application.
2. Right-handed Identifies the orientation The x, y and z unit vectors in a Positive rotation is
Coordinate conventions for vectors. Cartesian coordinate system can be counterclockwise about
System Determines the direction of the chosen to follow the right-hand rule. the axis of rotation; it is not
moment. Right-handed coordinate systems are applicable to those rotation
often used in rigid body and which is clockwise on its
kinematics. positive rotation. (Left-
A torque, the force that causes it, and handed Coordinate
the position of the point of application System)
of the force.
For a rotating object, if the right-hand
fingers follow the curve of a point on
the object, then the thumb points along
the axis of rotation in the direction of
the angular velocity vector.
A magnetic field, the position of the
point where it is determined, and the
electric current (or change in electric
flux) that causes it.
A magnetic field in a coil of wire and
the electric current in the wire.
The force of a magnetic field on a
charged particle, the magnetic field
itself, and the velocity of the object.
The vorticity at any point in the field
of flow of a fluid.
The induced current from motion in a
magnetic field (known as Fleming's
right-hand rule).
3. Unit Vector Determines a specific value Finding the length of the vector using they do not have any
that describes a point on a the Pythagorean Theorem. dimension or unit like
graph which in-turn describes Finding the angle between vectors. other vectors.
the direction of the vector; it is The magnitude should
a scaled (reduced in length always be equal to 1.
compare to original) version of
the original vector.
4. Position Vector Describes the location of an Finding the distance of a point with Limitations only if angle
object in a three-dimension respect to its origin. (length) between two vectors is less
coordinate frame. Finding the velocity of a particle. than 180 degrees and
Locates a point in space Finding the acceleration of a particle greater than 0 degrees.
relative to another point. Finding the angle between vectors.
Describes continuous and
differentiable space curves, in
which case the independent
parameter needs not be time,
but can be (e.g.) arc length of
the curve.
Defines motion in terms of
position, each coordinate may
be parametrized by time.
5. Cartesian Vector Represents the direction of the In three dimensions, the set of The given should be
Notation x, y, z axes. Cartesian unit vectors are i, j, k. expressed in Cartesian
Right handed Coordinate vector form.
System is the location of points
in space used to develop the
theory of Vector Algebra.
6. Scalar-Vector Multiplication of a vector by a Geometrically, the scalar product is There are no limitations.
Multiplication scalar change the magnitude of useful for finding the direction
the vector, but leaves its between arbitrary vectors in space.
direction unchanged. The scalar
Since the two expressions for the
changes the size of the vector.
The scalar "scales" the vector. product:
7.5 Finds the magnitude and Polygon method in physics is the Forces must be arranged
Polygon Method direction of the resultant of extension of triangle law of vector head-to tail around a
the two forces acting on the addition. It state that if a number of polygon.
same point using polygons. Cannot be used if the
vectors can be represented by the side
Used for vector addition vectors are not free vectors
of the polygon in magnitude and Tool is only usable if and
direction taken in order, then their only if added vectors are of
resultant is represented by the side the same type.
which close the polygon taken in the
opposite order. This resultant having
both magnitude and direction.
7.6 Enables the addition of right- The component method is commonly It is only applicable to
Component angled vector components to used in Cartesian coordinate systems, forces that has a 90-degree
Method find a resultant vector having a where the vector components of the angle.
magnitude and direction that Tool is only usable if and
individual vectors being added are
depends on the individual only if added vectors are of
components added. perpendicular to one another. The the same type.
Used for vector addition method can also be used in other
coordinate systems, such as
curvilinear and polar systems.
A firm grasp of the Pythagorean
Theorem is a perquisite to applying the
component method in Cartesian space,
as the resultant vector from adding the
perpendicular components is found as
the hypotenuse of the right triangle
that results when the orthogonal
components are added with a straight
line connecting the tips of the arrows.
8. Dot Product Finds a scalar quantity The dot product is a function that can Two vectors positioned at
Applying the essence of one be applied to two equal dimension an angle θ with respect to
item to another vectors and is sometimes referred to as each other (e.g. A & B)
Accounts for potential must be given.
the scalar or inner product by people of
differences in direction 0 ≤ θ ≤ 180º
Tells you what amount of one lower moral fiber.
vector goes in the direction of Mechanical work is the dot product of
another. force and displacement vectors
Finds the Similarities of Magnetic flux is the dot product of the
vectors in terms of direction. magnetic field and the vector area.
Finds the Perpendicularity of
vector A with respect to vector Work
B and vice versa.
9. Matrix Method Provides the equation for Solving for the dot product of two The matrix must be square.
of Finding the finding the force vector. vectors. (i.e. have the same number
Dot Product of rows as columns)
10. Cross Product Finds a vector quantity Computational Geometry Cross product requires
Finds the vector The cross product appears in the both of the vectors to be
perpendicular to a plane three dimensional vectors
calculation of the distance of two skew
Finds the differences in terms Multiplication is NOT
of direction (i.e. the vector is at lines (lines not in the same plane) from COMMUTATIVE.
maximum when θ=90º or each other in three-dimensional space. However, one may express
sin(θ)=1, indicating that the two The cross product can be used to the product of the two
vectors are acting in opposite calculate the normal for a triangle or vectors as a negative
directions). polygon, an operation frequently quantity whenever
performed in computer graphics. For commutation is performed
[e.g. A×B = - (B×A) ≠
example, the winding of a polygon
B×A]
(clockwise or anticlockwise) about a
point within the polygon can be
calculated by triangulating the
polygon (like spoking a wheel) and
summing the angles (between the
spokes) using the cross product to keep
track of the sign of each angle.
The cross product is used in
calculating the volume of a
polyhedron such as a tetrahedron or
parallelepiped.
Angular momentum and Torque
Rigid body
The cross product frequently appears
in the description of rigid motions.
In vector calculus, the cross product is
used to define the formula for the
vector operator curl.
11. Matrix Method Generates the equation for Solving for the dot product of two The matrix must be square.
of Finding the finding the force vector. vectors. (i.e. have the same number
Cross Product of rows as columns)
13. Determines the conditions of Determination of the moment of a Applicable only to rigid
Principle of motion of equilibrium of rigid force bodies.
Determination of the moment of a
transmissibility bodies and to compute the The principle of
external forces acting on these transmissibility should
bodies. torque
only be used when
Replaces the line of action Finding the perpendicular distance of examining external forces
without compromising the the force from the pivot point on bodies that are assumed
condition of the motion of the Finding the magnitude of the force’s to be rigid.
object components. The force must only be
moved along its line of
action.
This can be applied in a
system of two or more
forces acting on the same
body but it is limited only
to a certain point (the
effects of forces should not
be changed).
14. Its effect is to create rotation Couples are very important in For equal forces acting on
Principle of without translation, or more mechanical engineering and the opposite direction only.
Couples generally without any physical sciences. A few examples are:
acceleration of the center of The forces exerted by one's hand
mass. In rigid body mechanics, on a screw-driver
force couples are free vectors, The forces exerted by the tip of a
meaning their effects on a body screw-driver on the head of a
are independent of the point of screw
application. Drag forces acting on a spinning
propeller
Forces on an electric dipole in a
uniform electric field.
15. Determines if the vertical and Determine the tensional force acting For balanced system of
Concept of horizontal components are in upon the object forces acting on a body
Static equilibrium state. only.
Equilibrium
16. Newton’s Law of Describes the body's motion in Determine if the object is at rest or in Forces should be balanced.
Motion terms of physics motion Applicable only if the
Finding the acceleration, velocity, force is the net external
speed force.
Knowing what happens if the object Does not apply to
exerts force to another object situations where the mass
Newton's 2nd Law enables us to is changing, either from
compare the results of the same force loss or gain of material.
exerted on objects of different mass. Only applicable to motions
Newton's third law is a useful tool for measured from non-
analyzing situations which are accelerating reference
somewhat counter-intuitive. frame.
16.1 Proves that an object at rest Prediction of the behavior of Forces should be balanced.
Law of Inertia will remain at rest and object stationary (v=0m/s2; a=m/s2) and
in motion will continue in moving objects (v≠0m/s2; a=0m/s2)
motion unless a net external
force is applied. Therefore,
when the net force applied on
NEWTON’S LAW OF MOTION
17. Concurrent Convenience in finding the Finding the moment of a force with The forces acting on a
resultant of forces intersecting multiple components,its perpendicular body must be collinear,
through a single point. distance from the pivot point opposite in direction, equal
in magnitude and must
FORCE SYSTEM
DIAGRAM
Centroid Forces
Centroid
Uniform
Density
Normal
Force(s)
Weight
Strings
Hinges
Roller
Isolate
RULES FOR CREATING FREE-
BODY DIAGRAMS
Remove
Replace