Mechanics
- Sciences
- 200 level
- 3 credit units
- 93 pages
- 9 units
This course introduces fundamental concepts of mechanics. It covers vectors, electromagnetic fields, tensors, and dynamics of systems of particles. Students will learn about simple harmonic motion, including the pendulum and Hooke's law. The course also explores motion along curves, circular motion, and the relationship between force and motion. It aims to equip students with the analytical skills necessary for solving mechanics-related problems.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 156 hours
- Maths
- Intermediate
- Content
- Theoretical, problem solving
- Practical work
- No
- Basic Physics
- Calculus I & II
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of MTH251, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
MTH251 · UNIT 1 VECTORS
(For this reason, the more symmetrical notation [a, b, c] is sometimes used for the scalar triple product.) Note that the scalar triple product vanishes if any two vectors are equal, or parallel. More generally, it vanishes if a, b, c are coplanar.
What you should be able to do
- Apply vector calculus to solve mechanics problems
- Analyze the motion of systems of particles
- Understand simple harmonic motion
- Apply Hooke's law to elastic systems
- Analyze motion along curves and circular paths
- Apply Newton's laws of motion
What it prepares you for
- Mechanical Engineer
- Aerospace Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Physics Researcher
- Data Analyst
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Construction
- Research
- Manufacturing
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1 STATIC: System of live vectors.
Unit 3 Tensors
Tensor analysis requires a strong foundation in linear algebra and multivariable calculus, making it challenging for students without sufficient mathematical preparation.
- Module 2 DYNAMICS OF SYSTEMS OF PARTICLES
Unit 3 Constraints, Holonomic and Non-Holonomic Constraints
Understanding and applying D'Alembert's principle requires a deep understanding of virtual work and constraint forces, which can be conceptually difficult.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 41 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1 STATIC: System of live vectors.
Unit 1 Vectors · 3 hours
Review vector definitions and properties.. Practice vector addition and scalar multiplication.. Solve problems involving dot and cross products..
- Week 2Module 1 STATIC: System of live vectors.
Unit 2 the Electromagnetic Field · 3 hours
Study Maxwell's equations.. Understand the relationship between electric and magnetic fields.. Solve problems involving electromagnetic forces..
- Week 3Module 1 STATIC: System of live vectors.
Unit 3 Tensors · 3 hours
Learn about tensor properties and operations.. Understand the dot product and tensor product.. Practice eigenvalue calculations..
- Week 4Module 2 DYNAMICS OF SYSTEMS OF PARTICLES
Unit 1 Discrete and Continuous Systems · 3 hours
Differentiate between discrete and continuous systems.. Study examples of each system type.. Analyze real-world applications..
- Week 5Module 2 DYNAMICS OF SYSTEMS OF PARTICLES
Unit 2 Momentum of a System of Particles · 3 hours
Understand the concept of momentum for a system of particles.. Study the motion of the center of mass.. Solve problems related to conservation of momentum..
- Week 6Module 2 DYNAMICS OF SYSTEMS OF PARTICLES
Unit 3 Constraints, Holonomic and Non-Holonomic Constraints · 3 hours
Learn about holonomic and non-holonomic constraints.. Study virtual displacements.. Understand D'Alembert's principle..
- Week 7Module 3 The Simple Pendulum
Unit 1 Simple Pendulum · 3 hours
Derive the equation of motion for a simple pendulum.. Analyze the dependence of the period on length and gravity.. Solve pendulum-related problems..
- Week 8Module 3 The Simple Pendulum
Unit 2 Hooks law · 3 hours
Study Hooke's law and its applications.. Calculate energy stored in elastic systems.. Understand the conservative nature of spring forces..
- Week 9Module 4:
Unit 1 Motion along a curve · 3 hours
Understand position, velocity, and acceleration along a curve.. Solve problems involving motion along curves.. Apply vector calculus to analyze motion..
- Week 10Module 4:
Unit 2 Circular Motion with Constant Speed · 3 hours
Analyze circular motion with constant speed.. Understand centripetal acceleration.. Solve problems related to satellites in orbit..
- Week 11Module 4:
Unit 3 Force and Motion · 3 hours
Apply Newton's second law to solve motion problems.. Understand the relationship between force and acceleration.. Analyze projectile motion..
- Week 12Module 1 STATIC: System of live vectors.
Final Revision · 4 hours
Review all modules and units.. Solve sample problems from each unit.. Focus on areas of weakness..
- Week 13Module 2 DYNAMICS OF SYSTEMS OF PARTICLES
Assignments and Exam Preparation · 4 hours
Complete assignments and TMAs.. Prepare for final examinations.. Review key concepts and formulas..
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking Modules 1-2 vector and tensor concepts
- Practice solving dynamics problems from Units 4-6 weekly
- Review pendulum and Hooke's law derivations from Module 3
- Focus on applying Newton's laws to various motion scenarios (Module 4)
- Memorize key formulas and theorems from all units
Questions students ask about this course
What is MTH251 about?
This course introduces fundamental concepts of mechanics. It covers vectors, electromagnetic fields, tensors, and dynamics of systems of particles. Students will learn about simple harmonic motion, including the pendulum and Hooke's law. The course also explores motion along curves, circular motion, and the relationship between force and motion. It aims to equip students with the analytical skills necessary for solving mechanics-related problems.
How many units does MTH251 have?
MTH251, Mechanics, has 9 units across 4 modules, over 93 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is MTH251?
MTH251 carries 3 credit units, at 200 level in Sciences.
Is MTH251 hard?
MTH251 is rated intermediate level, with intermediate mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and problem solving work.
How long does MTH251 take to study?
About 156 hours of study, spread across its 9 units.
How is MTH251 assessed?
MTH251 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What do I need before starting MTH251?
Basic Physics Calculus I & II
What can I do with MTH251?
Mechanical Engineer, Aerospace Engineer, Civil Engineer, Physics Researcher and Data Analyst.