Dynamics of Particles: Vectorial Approach

This chapter outlines the most common approach the - vectorial approach - through which the equations governing the motion of particles are derived. It introduces Newton's second law of dynamics and demonstrates how it can be used to relate the forces acting on a particle to its ensuing motion. The chapter provides a systematic procedure which can be easily followed to obtain the equations governing the motion of a particle by using Newton's second law of dynamics. When two bodies are forced to slide with respect to each other, micro-scale asperities on their surface interact causing local elastic and plastic deformations that result in a force known as dry friction. In undergraduate dynamics, one must have learned about the motion of a particle in a uniform gravitational field, also known as the projectile motion. Newton's Law of Gravitation was derived by Newton based on empirical observations.