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Island Physics

DYNAMICS

Bermuda fitted dinghies racing in Granaway Deep. (Photo: Tom Clarke) 
Home >> AP Physics I >> Newton's Laws
Forces >>
Picture
Galileo worked on how objects move and developed the science of kinematics.  Sir Isaac Newton built on this work to discover why objects move the way they do.  He developed his famous three laws of motion:
  1. An object at rest remains at rest unless acted on by a resultant force, an object in motion continues to move in a straight line at a constant speed unless acted on by a resultant force.  Or more simply: a resultant force is required to change an object's motion.
  2. The acceleration of an object is proportion to the resultant force applied and inversely proportional to the mass of the object. \(a=\frac{\sum F}{m}\)
  3. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

A thorough understanding of these laws and the application of them to a variety of situations is essential in any physics course at this level.  With regards to problems:  Newton's first law tends to be used in terms of constant speed or statics where the forces are balanced (forces up = forces down and forces left = forces right) and the second law in relation to the dynamics of an accelerating object. It is vitally important to be able to break a force at an angle into components and to use Pythagoras to recombine the components again.

2.1 - Forces
2.2 - Static Equilibrium
2.3 - Dynamics
2.4 - Friction
2.5 - Advanced Problems

  • 12 - 18% exam weighting for the Multiple Choice questions
  • 19 - 22 lessons

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    • Waves
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  • Physics I
    • Kinematics >
      • Variables and Units
      • Describing Motion
      • Equations of Motion
      • Problem Solving
      • Projectiles
      • Kinematics Animations
    • Dynamics >
      • Forces
      • Static Equilibrium
      • Newton's Laws
      • Friction
      • Advanced Problems
    • Gravitation and Orbits >
      • Circular Motion
      • Vertical Circles
      • Universal Gravitation
      • Orbits
      • Circular Motion Animation
    • Energy >
      • Work
      • Springs
      • PE and KE
      • Conservation of Energy
      • Work-Energy Theorem
    • Linear Momentum >
      • Impulse
      • Conservation of Momentum
      • Types of Collision
      • 2-D Collisions
    • Simple Harmonic Motion >
      • Mass on Spring
      • Pendulums
      • SHM Animations
    • Rotational Mechanics >
      • Torque
      • Rotational Kinematics
      • Rotational Dynamics
      • Angular Momentum
      • Rotational Energy
    • Mechanical Waves >
      • Waves on a String
      • Sound
    • AP-1 Revision
    • AP Physics C (Mechanics)
  • Physics II
    • Fluid Mechanics
    • Thermal Physics
    • Electrostatics
    • Magnetic Fields >
      • EM Induction
    • Interference and Diffraction
    • Optics
    • Modern Physics
    • AP 2 Revision
  • OCEANOGRAPHY
    • The World Ocean >
      • What is Oceanography
      • History
      • Lat and Long
      • Size and Origin
      • Plate Tectonics
    • Seawater >
      • A Salty Sea
      • Measuring Salinity
      • Thermal Properties
      • Density Profiles
      • Drinking Seawater
    • Circulation and Climate >
      • Global Heating
      • Coriolis Effect
      • Surface Currents
      • Vertical Motion
      • Thermohaline Circulation
      • El Nino
      • Carbon Cycle
    • Waves and Tides >
      • Wave Motion
      • Formation of Waves
      • Beaches
      • Tsunamis
      • Tides
    • Observation Systems >
      • Challenges
      • The CTD
      • Moorings
      • Sound Waves
      • Robotics
      • Satellites
    • Weather and Navigation >
      • Weather Systems
      • Weather Forecasting
      • Hurricanes
      • Navigation
      • Life at Sea
    • Oceans and Mankind >
      • Ocean Acidification
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      • Climate Change
      • Energy Resources
    • Atlantic Explorer Cruise
    • ROVs
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