Kinematics

Abstract

The study of the motion of bodies requires a structured understanding of the fundamental quantities of displacement and time. This study is called kinematics and it will provide a basis for later modelling in other branches of mechanics. From time and displacement, we derive the quantities velocity and acceleration. All of these, with the exception of time, are vector quantities and can be expressed in an algebraic vector form. Not surprisingly, therefore, the study of vectors is crucial to the study of kinematics and all mechanics.