MECH 223: Dynamics OF Rigid Bodies

Dynamics is the branch of mechanics which deals with the study of bodies in motion.

Branches of Dynamics
Dynamics is divided into two branches called kinematics and kinetics.
Kinematics is the geometry in motion. This term is used to define the motion of a
particle or body without consideration of the forces causing the motion.
Kinetics is the branch of mechanics that relates the force acting on a body to its mass
and acceleration.

Symbols and Notations

s = distance
x = horizontal displacement
y = vertical displacement
v = velocity
vf = final velocity
vi = initial velocity
a = acceleration
g = acceleration due to gravity
t = time

Kinematics
Motion of a Particle
Particle is a term used to denote an object of point size. A system of particles which
formed into appreciable size is termed as body. These terms may apply equally to the
same object. The earth for example may be assumed as a particle in comparison with its
orbit, whereas to an observer on the earth, it is a body with appreciable size. In general,
a particle is an object whose size is so small in comparison to the size of its path.

Rectilinear Translation (Motion Along a Straight Line)

Motion with constant velocity (uniform motion)
s=vt
 Motion with constant acceleration
vf=vi+at
s=vi t+1/2 a t2
vf2 =vi2+2as

Free-falling body
v=gt
h=1/2 gt2
v2=2gh
Note: From motion with constant acceleration, set vi = 0, vf = v, s = h, and a = g to
get the free-fall formulas.

Motion with variable acceleration

a=dv/dt
v=ds/dt
vdv=ads

Where
s = distance
h = height
v = velocity
vi = initial velocity
vf = final velocity
a = acceleration
g = acceleration due to gravity (g = 9.81 m/s2 in SI = 32.2 ft/s2 in English)
t = time

Note:
•a is positive (+) if vv is increasing (accelerate).
•a is negative (-) if vv is decreasing (decelerate).
•g is positive (+) if the particle is moving downward.
•g is negative (-)if the particle is moving upward.

Useful conversion factors:

 From To Multiply by
Kilometers per hour (kph) Meter per second (m/sec) 1 / 3.6
Meter per second (m/sec) Kilometers per hour (kph or km/hr) 3.6
Miles per hour (mph) Feet per second (fps or ft/sec) 22 / 15
Feet per second (ft/sec) Miles per hour (mph or mi/hr) 15 / 22

Location of warning torpedo | Rectilinear Translation

Problem 1
On a certain stretch of track, trains run at 60 mph (96.56 kph). How far back of a
stopped train should be a warning torpedo be placed to signal an oncoming train?
Assume that the brakes are applied at once and retard the train at the uniform rate of 2
ft/sec2 (0.61 m/s2).

Solution

English System
Initial velocity
vi=60 mph=60(22/15)
vi=88 ft/sec

vf 2 = vi2 +2as
02 =882−2(2)s
s=1936 ft answer

SI units
Initial velocity
vi=96.56 kph=96.56(1/3.6)
vi=26.82 m/sec

vf2= vi2 +2as

02=26.822−2(0.61)s
s=589.7 m answer

Problem SET to be passed on September 19, 2022 to greglim77@yahoo.com

1. A stone is thrown vertically upward and return to earth in 10 sec. What was its initial
velocity and how high did it go?
2. A ball is dropped from the top of a tower 80 ft (24.38 m) high at the same instant
that a second ball is thrown upward from the ground with an initial velocity of 40
ft/sec (12.19 m/s). When and where do they pass, and with what relative velocity?
3. A stone is dropped down a well and 5 sec later, the sounds of the splash is heard. If
the velocity of sound is 1120 ft/sec (341.376 m/s), what is the depth of the well?
4. A stone is dropped from a captive balloon at an elevation of 1000 ft (304.8 m). Two
seconds later another stone is thrown vertically upward from the ground with a
velocity of 248 ft/s (75.6 m/s). If g = 32 ft/s2 (9.75 m/s2), when and where the stones
pass each other?