The branch of
physics that deals with the action of forces on matter
is referred to as mechanics. All considerations
of motion are addressed by mechanics, as well as the
transmission of forces through the use of simple
machines. The essence of classical mechanics is stated
in three laws of motion, formulated by Isaac Newton
(1642-1727), which tell us how the forces acting on an
object determine the motion of that object.
Mechanics is
divided into two areas: static and dynamic.
Static deals with the equilibrium of bodies, which are
either at rest or move with constant velocity. However,
dynamic is the study of forces and motion. It is
concerned with the accelerated motion of bodies.
Although static might be considered as a special case of
dynamics, in which the acceleration is zero, static
deserves a particular handling in engineering education
since many objects are designed with the desire that
they remain in equilibrium.
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