Understanding How Things Move

Physics starts with a simple question: How do things move? Mechanics explores the motion of objects and the forces that cause these motions. You'll learn about velocity, acceleration, Newton's Laws, and how forces like gravity and friction shape our world.

Key Concepts

• Displacement & Velocity: Displacement is the change in an object’s position. Velocity is how fast and in what direction that displacement occurs.
• Acceleration: The rate at which velocity changes.
• Newton’s Laws of Motion: Three fundamental rules that explain how and why objects move.

Real-World Connections

Ever wondered why you lurch forward when a car suddenly stops? That’s inertia, one of Newton’s Laws in action! Mechanics explains sports, driving, amusement park rides, and even how astronauts move in space.

Visualizing Equations

The basic equation for Newton's Second Law is:

\[ F = ma \]

Where \( F \) is force, \( m \) is mass, and \( a \) is acceleration.