Objectives

A primary objective in a first course in mechanics is to help develop a student's ability first to analyze problems in a simple and logical manner, and then to apply basic principles to their solutions. A strong conceptual understanding of these basic mechanics principles is essential for successfully solving mechanics problems. We hope that this text, as well as the preceding volume, Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics, 11e in SI Units, will help instructors achieve these goals.

General Approach

Vector algebra was introduced at the beginning of the first volume and is used in the presentation of the basic principles of statics, as well as in the solution of many problems, particularly three-dimensional problems. Similarly, the concept of vector differentiation will be introduced early in this volume, and vector analysis will be used throughout the presentation of dynamics. This approach leads to more concise derivations of the fundamental principles of mechanics. It also makes it possible to analyze many problems in kinematics and kinetics which could not be solved by scalar methods. The emphasis in this text, however, remains on the correct understanding of the principles of mechanics and on their application to the solution of engineering problems, and vector analysis is presented chiefly as a convenient tool.^†

Practical Applications Are Introduced Early. One of the characteristics of the approach used in this book is that mechanics of particles is clearly separated from the mechanics of rigid bodies. This approach makes it possible to consider simple practical applications at an early stage and to postpone the introduction of the more difficult concepts. For example:

• In Statics, the statics of particles is treated first, and the principle of equilibrium of a particle was immediately applied to practical situations involving only concurrent forces. The statics of rigid bodies is considered later, at which time the vector and scalar products of two vectors were introduced and used to define the moment of a force about a point and about an axis.
• In Dynamics, the same division is observed. The basic concepts of force, mass, and acceleration, of work and energy, and of impulse and momentum are introduced and first applied to problems involving only particles. Thus, students can familiarize themselves with the three basic methods used in dynamics and learn their respective advantages before facing the difficulties associated with the motion of rigid bodies.

New Concepts Are Introduced in Simple Terms. Since this text is designed for the first course in dynamics, new concepts are presented in simple terms and every step is explained in detail. On the other hand, by discussing the broader aspects of the problems considered, and by stressing methods of general applicability, a definite maturity of approach has been achieved. For example, the concept of potential energy is discussed in the general case of a conservative force. Also, the study of the plane motion of rigid bodies is designed to lead naturally to the study of their general motion in space. This is true in kinematics as well as in kinetics, where the principle of equivalence of external and effective forces is applied directly to the analysis of plane motion, thus facilitating the transition to the study of three-dimensional motion.

Fundamental Principles Are Placed in the Context of Simple Applications. The fact that mechanics is essentially a deductive science based on a few fundamental principles is stressed. Derivations have been presented in their logical sequence and with all the rigor warranted at this level. However, the learning process being largely inductive, simple applications are considered first. For example:

• The kinematics of particles (Chap. 11) precedes the kinematics of rigid bodies (Chap. 15).
• The fundamental principles of the kinetics of rigid bodies are first applied to the solution of two-dimensional problems (Chaps. 16 and 17), which can be more easily visualized by the student, while three-dimensional problems are postponed until Chap. 18.

The Presentation of the Principles of Kinetics Is Unified. The eleventh edition of Vector Mechanics for Engineers retains the unified presentation of the principles of kinetics which characterized the previous ten editions. The concepts of linear and angular momentum are introduced in Chap. 12 so that Newton's second law of motion can be presented not only in its conventional form F = ma, but also as a law relating, respectively, the sum of the forces acting on a particle and the sum of their moments to the rates of change of the linear and angular momentum of the particle. This makes possible an earlier introduction of the principle of conservation of angular momentum and a more meaningful discussion of the motion of a particle under a central force (Sec. 12.3A). More importantly, this approach can be readily extended to the study of the motion of a system of particles (Chap. 14) and leads to a more concise and unified treatment of the kinetics of rigid bodies in two and three dimensions (Chaps. 16 through 18).

Systematic Problem-Solving Approach. New to this edition of the text, all the sample problems are solved using the steps of Strategy, Modeling, Analysis, and Reflect & Think, or the "SMART" approach. This methodology is intended to give students confidence when approaching new problems, and students are encouraged to apply this approach in the solution of all assigned problems.

Free-Body Diagrams Are Used Both to Solve Equilibrium Problems and to Express the Equivalence of Force Systems. Free-body diagrams were introduced early in statics, and their importance was emphasized throughout. They were used not only to solve equilibrium problems but also to express the equivalence of two systems of forces or, more generally, of two systems of vectors. In dynamics we will introduce a kinetic diagram, which is a pictorial representation of inertia terms. The advantage of this approach becomes apparent in the study of the dynamics of rigid bodies, where it is used to solve threedimensional as well as two-dimensional problems. By placing the emphasis on the free-body diagram and kinetic diagram, rather than on the standard algebraic equations of motion, a more intuitive and more complete understanding of the fundamental principles of dynamics can be achieved. This approach, which was first introduced in 1962 in the first edition of Vector Mechanics for Engineers, has now gained wide acceptance among mechanics teachers in this country. It is, therefore, used in preference to the method of dynamic equilibrium and to the equations of motion in the solution of all sample problems in this book.

Optional Sections Offer Advanced or Specialty Topics. A large number of optional sections have been included. These sections are indicated by asterisks and thus are easily distinguished from those which form the core of the basic dynamics course. They can be omitted without prejudice to the understanding of the rest of the text.

The topics covered in the optional sections include graphical methods for the solution of rectilinear-motion problems, the trajectory of a particle under a central force, the deflection of fluid streams, problems involving jet and rocket propulsion, the kinematics and kinetics of rigid bodies in three dimensions, damped mechanical vibrations, and electrical analogues. These topics will be found of particular interest when dynamics is taught in the junior year.

The material presented in the text and most of the problems require no previous mathematical knowledge beyond algebra, trigonometry, elementary calculus, and the elements of vector algebra presented in Chaps. 2 and 3 of the volume on statics.† However, special problems are included, which make use of a more advanced knowledge of calculus, and certain sections, such as Secs. 19.5A and 19.5B on damped vibrations, should be assigned only if students possess the proper mathematical background. In portions of the text using elementary calculus, a greater emphasis is placed on the correct understanding and application of the concepts of differentiation and integration, than on the nimble manipulation of mathematical formulas. In this connection, it should be mentioned that the determination of the centroids of composite areas precedes the calculation of centroids by integration, thus making it possible to establish the concept of moment of area firmly before introducing the use of integration.