Dynamics is the science which deals with the laws of force in their relation to matter at rest or in motion, and as such it is differentiated from cinematics, which considers motion mathematically, and apart from the forces producing it. It is to Isaac Newton that we owe the clear statement of the three primary laws of force. These are: (1) that every body remains in a state of rest, or of uniform motion along- a straight line, unless it is compelled by force to change that state. (2) That change of motion is in proportion to the force employed, and occurs along the straight line in which the force acta. This change of motion includes both change of rate and of direction. (3) That, as the result of every action, there is also and always an equal reaction. These laws, which were formulated from experiment, involve the conception of force as a primary influence or action expressed in terms of space, time, and matter.
Dynamics is divided into two great branches: statics, which treats of solid bodies at rest under the action of forces; and kinetics, which treats of the action of forces in producing motion in solid bodies. Formerly the latter alone was called dynamics, and to this, in conjunction with statics, the general name mechanics was given. In the wide sense dynamics includes also hydrostatics. Research Dynamics
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert