An Entry To Basic Mechanics
Created | Updated Mar 17, 2010
Others seem to have misjudged you all on the subject of physics, attempting to make you feel that it's a complex gathering of equations, theories, and schools of though. This somewhat is true however it's not as complex as it seems.
Perhaps the most important principle of Physics is basic mechanics, characterised by the famous "Newtons Apple Story". It goes something like this. Mechanics is simply how things move and why things move like they do. Everything follows Newton's laws of motion which are:
(1) Every body persists in its state of being at rest or of moving uniformly straight forward, except insofar as it is compelled to change its state by force impressed.
Which means:
An object that is not moving will not move until a force acts upon it.
And, An object that is moving will not change its velocity until a net force acts upon it. (Velocity is similar to speed, only it has direction as well as magnitude).
(2) Newton's second law states that the force applied to a body produces a proportional acceleration; the relationship between the two is
Force = Mass * Acceleration
Force Is Measured In Newtons (N)
Mass Is Measured In Kilograms (KG)
Acceleration Is Measured In Meters Per Second Squared (M/S^2) or (MS^-2)
(3) ''To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction: or the forces of two bodies on each other are always equal and are directed in opposite directions''.
Put Simply, if say object A, you, push against object B, the wall, with a force of 10 Newtons, the wall also exerts, and equal yet opposite, force of 10 Newtons onto you. Thus the forces are equal and opposite.
And thats it the basic principles of mechanics. Newtons laws of Motion.
If this has been of any help you please leave comments, or if it could be improved in anyway please let me know. Thanks. Also if you wish to know about any other physics principles I am sure i can help.
Perhaps the most important principle of Physics is basic mechanics, characterised by the famous "Newtons Apple Story". It goes something like this. Mechanics is simply how things move and why things move like they do. Everything follows Newton's laws of motion which are:
(1) Every body persists in its state of being at rest or of moving uniformly straight forward, except insofar as it is compelled to change its state by force impressed.
Which means:
An object that is not moving will not move until a force acts upon it.
And, An object that is moving will not change its velocity until a net force acts upon it. (Velocity is similar to speed, only it has direction as well as magnitude).
(2) Newton's second law states that the force applied to a body produces a proportional acceleration; the relationship between the two is
Force = Mass * Acceleration
Force Is Measured In Newtons (N)
Mass Is Measured In Kilograms (KG)
Acceleration Is Measured In Meters Per Second Squared (M/S^2) or (MS^-2)
(3) ''To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction: or the forces of two bodies on each other are always equal and are directed in opposite directions''.
Put Simply, if say object A, you, push against object B, the wall, with a force of 10 Newtons, the wall also exerts, and equal yet opposite, force of 10 Newtons onto you. Thus the forces are equal and opposite.
And thats it the basic principles of mechanics. Newtons laws of Motion.
If this has been of any help you please leave comments, or if it could be improved in anyway please let me know. Thanks. Also if you wish to know about any other physics principles I am sure i can help.
