Mechanics is the branch of physics that examines the motion of bodies. It begins with three fundamental physical quantities: time, distance, and mass. From these we can derive more complex ideas including speed, velocity, and acceleration which are all simply ratios of time and distance. Isaac Newton is famous for discovering three laws of motion which essentially relate mass distance and time together. Force is an essential part of Newton’s second law. By relating force, time, distance and mass we can derive even more complicated ideas including momentum, impulse, energy, work, and power. At this point we need to introduce two additional fundamental laws of mechanics, the law of conservation of momentum and the law of conservation of energy. These laws are fundamental to physics and tell us how all these complex ideas behave.
In order to apply the above concepts to answer questions about bodies in motion one needs to master a simple mathematical concept, the vector. Vectors are a mathematical idea combined of two simpler ideas: a number, and a direction. Vectors are typically represented with an arrow, where the length of the arrow is proportional to the magnitude of the vector, and the direction of the arrow points in the direction of the vector. Once you understand how to add vectors together you can begin solving every mechanics problem.
The entirety of mechanics can be explained by:
(3) fundamental physical properties: time, distance, and mass
(5) fundamental laws: Newton’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd law, and conservation of momentum and energy
(1) new math concept: Vectors
(5) fundamental laws: Newton’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd law, and conservation of momentum and energy
(1) new math concept: Vectors