Unit 4 Fields and Further Mechanics

Further Mechanics
Momentum Concepts
Force as the rate of change of momentum:

F=

Unit 4 Fields and Further Mechanics

(mv)
t

Impulse

F t=(mv)

Significance of area under a force-time graph.

Principle of conservation of linear momentum applied to problems in one dimension.
Principle of conservation of linear momentum applied to problems in one dimension.
Elastic and inelastic collisions; explosions
Circular Motion
Motion in a circular path at constant speed implies there is an acceleration and
requires a centripetal force.
Angular speed:

v
= =2 f
r
Centripetal acceleration:

a=

v2
=2 r
r

Centripetal Force:

F=

mv 2
=m 2 r
r

SHM
Characteristic features of SHM
Conditions for SHM:

a=(2 f )2 x
a=Acos (2 ft )
2

v =2 f ( A x )
Graphical representations linking x, v, a and t.
Velocity as gradient of displacement-time graph.
Maximum speed = 2fA
Maximum acceleration = (2f)2A
Simple Harmonic Systems
Study of a mass-spring system:

T =2 (

m
)
k

Study of a simple pendulum

l
T =2 ( )
g
Variation of Ek, Ep and total energy with displacement, and with time.
Forced Vibrations and Resonance
Qualitative treatment of free and forced vibrations
Resonance and the effects of damping on the sharpness of resonance.
Examples of these effects in the mechanical systems and stationary wave situations.
Gravitation
Newtons Law
Gravity as a universal attractive force acting between all matter. The force between
point masses:

T=

G m1 m2
r2

where G is the gravitational constant.