Engineering Mechanics: Rigid Body Dynamics

Understanding how physical objects move and react to forces is the cornerstone of mechanical engineering and robotics. This course provides a clear path to mastering rigid body dynamics, moving beyond simple particles to analyze complex systems in motion. You will develop the analytical skills required to predict how forces influence the translation and rotation of solid bodies in real-world scenarios. What you'll learn: - Understand the fundamental kinematics of rigid bodies in translation and fixed-axis rotation - Apply Newton's second law to solve complex planar motion problems - Calculate work and energy for rigid body systems to determine velocity and displacement - Analyze impulse and momentum to predict the behavior of bodies during impacts - Practice defining coordinate systems and drawing free-body diagrams for dynamic analysis - Explore modern applications in robotics and automated systems where rigid body principles are essential The course begins with foundational definitions and key terminology before progressing through planar kinematics and the kinetic analysis of force, energy, and momentum. You will work through written explanations and technical examples that bridge the gap between theoretical physics and practical engineering. This course is designed for beginners in engineering or students who have completed basic particle dynamics and wish to expand their knowledge of mechanical systems. No prior experience with rigid body analysis is required. Start building your expertise in mechanical motion today.